Dana White Won't Risk Jon Jones Headlining UFC White House Event
Jon Jones's brief retirement from the UFC ended when he learned that the UFC might hold a fight card on the grounds of the White House. Jones's hopes of competing on that card were dashed on Saturday at the UFC 318 post-fight press conference when UFC Dana White told Jones, thanks, but no thanks.
"I can't risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong," White said after Saturday's UFC 318. "Especially the White House card."
Not long after hearing White's comments, Jones expressed disappointment on social media, but said he was going to continue to train for a UFC fight.
"I heard the comments made at last night's press conference. While I was a little disappointed, I'm still in the UFC's drug testing pool, staying sharp, and continuing to train like a professional. I'll be ready for whatever comes next.
"In a recent interview, I shared that the opportunity to fight at the White House gave me something deeper to fight for, a 'why' that goes beyond paychecks or belts. Fighting for my country gives me a greater purpose!
"The silver lining in all this is knowing the fans see my heart. They see, I am ready and willing to take on anyone, to represent my country on a historic stage. For me, it's never been just about the opponent. I'm chasing legacy, something timeless, something bigger than the moment.
'So for now, I'll keep grinding, stay patient, and stay faithful. I'm ready to fight on July 4th. #IndependenceDay'
Jones announced his retirement in June.
"Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC," White said during the post-fight press conference following the June 21 2025 UFC Baku fight card.
"I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him," White added. "Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. He's been willing to do anything – fight him anywhere at any time and do this. Now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. Tell me who and I'll fight him.' Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us and I'm excited to work with him."
On that same night, news broke that Jones had been charged in Albuquerque on a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident in February. In July, authorities added the charge of 'Use of Telephone to Terrify, Intimidate, Threaten, Harass, Annoy or Offend,' related to that incident.
This is not the first time White has expressed reluctance in using Jones in a UFC main event.
'I don't (trust him), no. I don't. In my opinion, I would never take the risk of headlining a show with Jon Jones again," White said in 2016. "I'd put him on the card, but I wouldn't headline with him until he consistently gets back on track. Millions of dollars are spent on this. For a card to fall apart, and how many cards have fallen apart because Jon Jones gets in trouble for something? So no, I'm not at that place with him.'
The UFC booked Jones in seven main events after White made those claims.
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