Stop me if you’ve heard this before, Dana White appears to have changed his mind.

Back in November, UFC President Dana White went on a Sirius XM town hall with Jim Rome where he said, “I would never take the risk of headlining a show with Jon Jones again.” This statement came on the heels of Jones receiving a one-year suspension from USADA for his failed drug tests leading up to UFC 200.

But now White seems to be singing a different tune. While speaking with the UFC Unfiltered podcast recently, White said he expects Jon Jones will challenge for the UFC light heavyweight title for his first fight back from suspension.

“Jon Jones is supposed to return around July so the timing is perfect. I haven’t talked to him. I have not talked to Jon Jones since the whole incident [at UFC 200]. Depending on where Jon’s head is and where he thinks he is, I would assume he would come right back and try to get his title back,” White said.

Jones is eligible to return to fighting this July which will mark over two years since Jones has held the UFC light heavyweight title. After Jones was stripped of the title and suspended by the UFC, Daniel Cormier defeated Anthony Johnson to become the UFC light heavyweight champion. As Jones has been beset by outside the cage issues, Cormier has defended the belt once and is now set to rematch “Rumble” Johnson this April at UFC 210, with the winner apparently looking at a Jones match up for later in the summer.

Coincidentally, April will also mark one year since Jones last competed, a unanimous decision win over Ovince Saint Preux for the interim title belt. That bout was originally supposed to be a title fight against Cormier as Jones’ return bout, but an injury forced the champion out, resulting in Jones taking a short notice, interim bout. Jones now appears to be set for the same type of immediate title shot and White says that’s because anything else doesn’t really make sense for Jones.

“The problem with this sport, there is no light one. If you’re going to go in there and give it, at least go in and try to get your belt back. It’s like everyone was saying Ronda should have had a tune up [fight]. There are no tune-up fights. When you break into the top five in the world, everybody’s nasty. Everybody’s nasty. What you don’t want to do is lose to somebody [ranked] 8, 9, 10. It knocks you right out of the top 10 and it doesn’t make sense.”

Considering Jones is one of the UFC’s biggest stars, it certainly doesn’t. With Conor McGregor focused on boxing, Jones versus the winner of Cormier-Johnson is likely one of the biggest pay-per-views the UFC will do next year. If nothing else derails it beforehand, that is.

MUST-READ STORIES

Born in Iran. Gegard Mousasi is unsure if he’ll be allowed to travel to the U.S. for UFC 210 as a result of Donald Trump’s travel ban.

Class. Amanda Nunes issued an apology to Ronda Rousey.

Retired. Dana White says Ronda Rousey is “probably done” fighting.

Union. Conor McGregor believes there “needs to be something” in the manner of a fighter union.

Rematch. Anthony Johnson says Daniel Cormier “knows what’s coming” when they rematch.

MEDIA STEW

T-Wood Champ Camp with Renato Laranja, 27 time world champion in BJJ....

Dana on TMZ saying Ronda doesn’t have it anymore.

Derrick Lewis interview.

The 'Black Beast' LIVE! @TheBuzzer's Andy Nesbitt is LIVE with Derrick ''The Black Beast'' Lewis at Houston Super Bowl radio row. Come hang LIVE! Posted by UFC on FOX on Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Machida interview.

Dennis Bermudez went to the Super Bowl opening day and Cooper Manning’s suit is absurd.

And here’s The Menace killing zombies in preparation for this weekend.

LISTEN UP

Beatdown.

TFATK.

TWEETS

Amanda apologizes.

Let me take a moment to explain myself. I was overwhelmed with adrenaline, emotion and hurt at the time. I held so much in during the weeks prior to my fight with Ronda. I might have said or posted some things at the time that I now realize was not the right thing to do. I want to apologize to Ronda. Her fans and mine and the UFC as well. Ronda is an amazing athlete and has done so much for this sport, especially for the women. #respect A photo posted by Amanda Nunes (@amanda_leoa) on Jan 31, 2017 at 12:52pm PST

Ultimatum.

@bisping I am a nice guy. I will give you until Friday 12pm est to announce your retirement. Like this you can stay doing movies #ynuevo — Yoel Romero (@YoelRomeroMMA) January 31, 2017

Jorge wants to title eliminator.

@demianmaia I'd hate to jump you for next in line and you start to develop ill will towards me. Take the fight #easymoney #200k @danawhite — Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) February 1, 2017

Khabib and Ariel had an exchange.

UFC will be holding a Q&A w/ @TeamKhabib in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn next Friday (open to the public). Very smart. Huge Russian pop. there. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 31, 2017

@TeamKhabib of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world. Absolutely love this idea. #loyalty — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 31, 2017

@arielhelwani I'm very happy about you, because you learn a lot about loyalty LOL — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 31, 2017

@TeamKhabib thank you. Hopefully, in your eyes, I have atoned for my sins. Never again, Master. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 31, 2017

@arielhelwani yes of course. See you soon my best student ⚡️ — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 31, 2017

DC got Khabib mad at Ali.

This is the face you get when you show no loyalty @aliabdelaziz000! Me and my gangsta squad coming for you and rumble. #weareaka @islam_makhachev @khabib_nurmagomedov @abubakar_nurmagomedov A photo posted by Daniel "DC" Cormier (@dc_mma) on Jan 31, 2017 at 4:06pm PST

Masvidal feeling it these days.

I'm from #Miami women down here don't wear panties. That's for chumps. We break out the #redbottoms https://t.co/IvU2wYDKOj — Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) January 31, 2017

Young blood.

@Unclecreepymma I respect you and your career don't get it twisted.. But you will now lose to someone younger and more gifted #poetry — Jarred Brooks (@The_monkeygod) February 1, 2017

You play checkers ... people like me play chess. Welcome to the big leagues son. https://t.co/CR0FdbneRC — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) February 1, 2017

Lobov wants that Cub fight.

Werdum with Kadyrov.

Eu com Presidente da Chechenia @kadyrov_95 e seus 5 filhos A photo posted by Fabricio Werdum (@werdum) on Jan 30, 2017 at 10:16am PST

Nice.

All these guys calling out & dissing @DanKellyJudo, these guys all start out confident.....next minute pic.twitter.com/NQ6Gg1NdXF — Jake Matthews (@JakeMatthewsUFC) January 30, 2017

Only loosely fighting related, but if CM Punk gets another fight, make it Blade.

Hey Justin, come see these hands. Tax free. https://t.co/eyRnoBYIbD — Wesley Snipes (@wesleysnipes) January 31, 2017

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Josh Koscheck (17-10) vs. Mauricio Alonso (12-7); Bellator 172, Feb. 18.

Anatoly Tokov (24-3) vs. Francisco France (13-4-1); Bellator 172, Feb. 18.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2004: Mark Kerr knocked himself out while securing a takedown against Yoshihisa Yamamoto at Pride 27.

2008: Luke Rockhold made his Strikeforce debut, knocking out Josh Neal at Strikeforce: Young Guns II.

2014: Jose Aldo successfully defended his UFC featherweight title, winning a unanimous decision against Ricardo Lamas at UFC 169. Also that night, Renan Barao stopped Urijah Faber with punches to retain his bantamweight title

FINAL THOUGHTS

Kind of wild to realize Jon Jones has missed two years of his prime. If none of this extracurricular stuff had happened, he might already be the heavyweight champion.

Hope everyone has a good one. Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.