Dana White Says He Doesn't Believe Jon Jones Used 'Roids

Jon Jones is ALMOST out of Dana White's doghouse ... with the UFC honcho telling TMZ Sports he doesn't believe the ex-champ was using steroids ... but he did take SOMETHING he shouldn't have.

White joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (weeknights on FS1) -- and spelled out the latest with Jones and the failed drug tests that got him kicked off the card at UFC 200.

"He was accused of taking the drug that you take when you're getting off steroids ... and it's looking now like it's not the case. He did not take that drug. He took something else that had it in it."

White says he's not as pissed off at Jones as he was in the wake of the failed test -- but he's still upset.

"I'm a little happier now that he wasn't taking that drug and that I now believe that he wasn't taking steroids ... but still, you can't put anything in your body without notifying USADA or the Nevada State Athletic Commission."