With such an irresistible slate of fights, the UFC is closing out the year with style - even if it's under weird circumstances for the fans and fighters.
"It's not an easy decision to make," White said. "You've got to pull the trigger and you've got to make moves. You're not going to make everybody happy. You can't make every fan, every fighter happy. We did everything we could to make it better."
Not every fighter will agree after getting a reduced payment due to California's state income tax. White flatly said the UFC won't compensate the fighters for any lost income due to the move.
But the pay-per-view audience still gets a stacked show headlined by the first fight in nearly 18 months for Jones (22-1), the self-sabotaging superstar who tested positive for low levels of an anabolic steroid earlier this year.
The result isn't considered a failed doping test by the US Anti-Doping Agency, but the Nevada Athletic Commission wanted a hearing on the matter next month. Its California counterpart had no such qualms, prompting the UFC's move.
Jones has made innumerable mistakes outside the octagon but that bad boy persona combined with his brute brilliance in competition has made him irresistible to many fight fans. According to Jones, some root for his success, while others yearn for his failure with similar passion - but both camps buy his fights.
Jones, 31, reclaimed his light heavyweight title in July 2017 with a win over Daniel Cormier, only to lose it to another failed doping test.
"I was hated, and turning it all off is the easy way to deal with it," said the 31-year-old Jones, who is fighting for only the third time in nearly four years of his athletic prime.
He returns to fight Gustafsson (18-4), who provided Jones with the toughest fight of his life in 2013. Jones won the decision but was battered and humbled by the Swede.
Gustafsson has stewed over the loss for years and was infuriated by Jones' latest doping troubles. He labelled Jones a cheat and vowed to make the former champion "eat everything he says".
"You put illegal stuff in your body, but it won't help you this time," Gustafsson said. "I'm ready to end this. I've learned how to dig deeper."
- AP