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 promotion’s proposed event 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 his intention to return, citing the UFC’s plans to host an event at the White House.
Despite Jones’s desire to fight on the card, White practically ruled out the idea on Saturday.
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” White said during the press conference after the UFC 319 fight in Chicago. “If I had to put odds, it would be a billion to one that Jon Jones is on the White House card.”
Dana White
Jones responded to White’s comments on Monday on social media.
Despite the odds, I’m still training and optimistic about the possibility of being part of the White House event. At the end of the day, Dana is the boss and it’s his call whether I compete that night or not. I do know Dana was really excited about the fight, and the door hasn’t…
White has cited Jones’s unreliability as the reason for excluding him from the event. Jones is widely regarded as the best MMA fighter of all time, but he has been involved in legal troubles outside of competition. The UFC stripped Jones of his title several times, including in 2015 after a felony conviction stemming from a hit-and-run in New Mexico. He is facing new charges for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident this February.
In 2016, the UFC made 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 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 4th 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 he won’t start thinking about who will be on the card until next year, but he doesn’t foresee 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.
