Jon Jones becomes Steveson coach, eyes UFC White House card

Jon Jones has quietly shifted his focus from chasing one last blockbuster fight to coaching a rising heavyweight prospect, announcing a formal coaching role with Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson even as he continues to lobby for a spot on the UFC White House card next summer. The move comes amid lingering controversy over Jones's June retirement and the collapsed unification bout with Tom Aspinall that followed his decision to vacate the heavyweight title.

Jones has publicly backed Steveson since the 25 year old made a one round TKO debut at LFA 217, and he told followers on social media that Steveson is a future UFC champion. "It is not a matter of if he can, it is a matter of when," Jones said, describing the former Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medalist as the kind of committed wrestler he would coach. Steveson is scheduled to headline Dirty Boxing 4 on Oct. 30 in Nashville against Billy Swanson in an event coowned by Jones, who will appear at a meet and greet ahead of the card. Dirty Boxing uses four ounce gloves and allows limited ground and pound within a hybrid rule set.

The coaching announcement comes as UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly expressed reluctance to...