Dana White Rules Out Jon Jones for White House Event
UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that he has no plans to include Jon Jones in the event proposed by the promotion at the White House in 2026, despite the fighter’s interest.
Jones, 38, retired from mixed martial arts (MMA) in June, rather than accept a UFC heavyweight title unification fight against interim champion Tom Aspinall. However, weeks after his retirement, Jones announced his intention to return, citing UFC’s plans to host an event at the White House.
Despite Jones’s desire to participate in the card, White practically ruled out the idea.
I wouldn’t bet on it. If I had to put odds on it, it would be a billion to one against Jon Jones being on the White House card.
Dana White
Jones responded to White’s comments on Monday on social media.White has cited Jones’s lack of reliability as the reason for excluding him from the event. Jones is widely considered the best MMA fighter of all time, but he has been involved in legal problems outside of competition.
UFC stripped Jones of the title several times, including in 2015 after a felony conviction stemming from a hit-and-run in New Mexico. He faces new charges for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident this February.
In 2016, UFC made significant changes to its historic UFC 200 event in Las Vegas when Jones was flagged for a potential doping violation the week of the event. He was suspended for a year.
Several renowned UFC fighters have expressed interest in the White House card, which White has said will take place on July 4 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. Conor McGregor, who hasn’t fought since 2021, is among them.
White has said that he will not start thinking about who will be on the card until next year, but that he does not anticipate adding Jones.
However, Jones has re-entered the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program and has said he will be ready for the July 4th date.
