UFC boss Dana White has explained the one reason why Jon Jones will not fight on the White House card despite cancelling his retirement plans.
Two years after becoming a two-weight UFC champion with a win over Ciryl Game, Jones announced that he was retiring from MMA and vacating his heavyweight title, having defended it only once.
The 38-year-old was facing consistent pressure from UFC officials and fans to finally fight Tom Aspinall after the Brit claimed the interim heavyweight championship in November 2023.
But Jones ultimately decided against accepting what would have been massively dangerous fight, claiming that he felt he had done all he needed in the sport.
Advert
However, that all changed just days after his retirement, as US President Donald Trump announced that he would hold a UFC card in the White House grounds next year, prompting Jones to return to the testing pool.
But now, White has explained exactly why he will not allow Jones to compete on the historic White House card despite him being widely considered as the greatest American fighter of all time.
During the press conference following Max Holloway's successful BMF title defence over Dustin Poirier, White was asked the possibility of Jones getting an immediaate title shot if he returned to the White House card.
"It's not about him just winning the belt," White responded.
"You know how I felt about him. I can't risk putting him in big positions—in a big spot—and have something go wrong.
"Especially the White House card."
Throughout Jones''s highly successful career, several controversies have forced him to pull out of big fights, perhaps explaining White's hesitation to put him on a fight card that will be watched across the world.
And while it's not confirmed, it has been suggested by several fans and pundits that the UFC only allowed Jones to have a legacy fight with former champion Stipe Miocic on the understanding he would fight Aspinall after.
Who could feature on the UFC's White House card?
Like Jones, as soon as the White House card was announced, former two-weight champion Conor McGregor also confirmed his interest in fighting.
“I’m going home, going to get the head down, going to rest. They’re testing me, I’m in the pool!" he said.
“So get ready and stay ready, because damage will be done. Oval Office, White House garden!”
It's unknown who else could feature when the UFC arrives at the White House in July, with White promising it will be the biggest card of all time.
“Whoever actually gets to be there live, it will be such a unique, amazing experience in their lifetime to be able to go to this fight,” he said.
"it’s so unique, so bad a** and so one-off.”
Topics: UFC, Dana White, Jon Jones, Donald Trump, MMA, Conor McGregor
Ben McCrum