Jon Jones Buries Pride and Pleads Dana White for White House Event Spot

After being denied a spot on the UFC White House event, Jon Jones once again makes a plea to UFC CEO Dana White.

Jon Jones Buries Pride and Pleads Dana White for White House Event Spot

Jon Jones once again makes UFC White House case to Dana White (via Forbes, Bleacher Report)

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Jon Jones was once the biggest superstar in the UFC, known for his dominance inside the octagon and his reputation as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. Over the years, his name has become synonymous with both brilliance and controversy. Most recently, Jones made his case to the UFC CEO Dana White for a spot on the upcoming 2026 UFC White House event.

Jones reversed his previously announced retirement and has re-entered the UFC’s drug-testing pool as part of his stated intent to compete at the upcoming White House event. The event is slated for June 2026, and the UFC intends to host a major fight card at the South Lawn of the White House, following an announcement by US President Donald Trump at one of his Presidential rallies.

Despite his readiness to return and his public campaigning for the card, Jones has not been confirmed for the leading event role. White reportedly expressed doubts about entrusting such a landmark event to Jones, given his history of absences and organisational tensions. Jones recently made a plea to White at the Dirty Boxing 4 event, which is a promotion he co-owns.

Dana, please bro. I’m training, I feel great, I’m healthy. I’d be so honored to represent our country and do what I do best.

Jon Jones via Dirty Boxing

In addition to the White House card talk, Jones remains connected to complicated narratives from his recent past. His name remains associated with unresolved disputes over opponents, title defenses, and event scheduling. One focal point is the long-teased but never materialised bout against Tom Aspinall, who was eventually promoted to heavyweight champion after Jones stepped away.

However, Jones received surprising support from his rival and former opponent, Daniel Cormier, who supported ‘Bones’ claim for a spot on the card. Cormier emphasized the importance of an American superstar such as Jones to headline the card. Apart from DC’s support, Jones was also supported by UFC veteran Matt Brown, who believed that Jones was the only legitimate candidate for the event.

At present, Jones’s return remains speculative rather than concrete. If he were to headline the White House card, it would mark an unprecedented moment in MMA history, both for the venue and for his own career arc. Whether the event materializes or he remains on the fringes, the story of Jon Jones continues to unfold in ways that reflect both his legacy and the evolving ambitions of the UFC.

Jon Jones gains support from former rival for potential Alex Pereira fight

There has been growing discussion surrounding a potential showdown between UFC champions Alex Pereira and Jon Jones. The tension between the two has been brewing for months, with both fighters hinting at a possible clash. Following his impressive victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, Pereira made it clear that his next goal is to face Jones at the historic White House event.

Rampage Jackson talks about Jon Jones vs Alex Pereira
Rampage Jackson talks about Jon Jones vs Alex Pereira (via MMA Fighting)

The talks around a potential Pereira–Jones fight intensified after the heavyweight title bout between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest. With the division’s direction uncertain, former light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson joined the discussion. Jackson recently spoke about how Jones’ fight IQ and gameplans may prove difficult for anyone to solve.

I don’t think there’s anybody out there that can really beat Jon Jones. Jon Jones is very intelligent with his decision-making of who he fights and his opponents. I don’t think he was worried about Tom Aspinall as everybody thought he was. He knows what type of fight he’ll take to Alex Pereira. He’s not going to stand and bang with him. He doesn’t care about the entertainment — he cares about his legacy only.

Rampage Jackson via JAXXON podcast

Jackson, who faced Jon Jones at UFC 135 over a decade ago, remains impressed by the former champion’s intelligence and composure inside the octagon. Even at 38 years old, Jones continues to draw respect from fighters across generations. For Jackson, the Albuquerque native’s ability to maintain his dominance after so many years highlights why he is still considered one of the most complete athletes.

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