Dana White Rules Out Jon Jones for White House Event
UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that he has no intention of including Jon Jones in the event proposed by the promotion at the White House in 2026, despite the fighter’s interest. Jones, 38, retired from MMA in June, instead of accepting a UFC heavyweight title unification fight against interim champion Tom Aspinall. However, weeks after his retirement, Jones announced that he was already planning a comeback, citing the UFC’s plans to host an event at the White House as the reason. Despite Jones’s desire to fight on the card, White practically ruled out the idea.White has cited Jones’ history of inconsistencies as the reason he wouldn’t include him in the event. Jones is widely considered the best fighter of all time, but he has been involved in a long list of legal issues outside of competition. The UFC was forced to strip Jones of his title several times, including in 2015 when he was arrested and charged with a felony hit-and-run in New Mexico. He is currently facing criminal charges for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in February. In 2016, the UFC was forced to make significant changes to its historic UFC 200 event in Las Vegas when Jones was flagged for a possible doping violation the week of the event. He was ultimately suspended for a year due to the violation. Several big names on the UFC roster have expressed interest in the White House card, which White has said will take place on July 4 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. Conor McGregor, who hasn’t fought since 2021, is included on that list. White has said he won’t even begin to think about who will be on the card until next year, but he has made it clear that he doesn’t foresee adding Jones. Despite this, Jones has re-entered the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program and has stated that he will be ready for the July 4th date.I wouldn’t bet on that. If I had to bet, the odds would be a billion to one that Jon Jones is on the White House card.
Dana White
