Dana White's brutal Jon Jones decision defended by Joe Rogan as UFC icon faces yet more legal trouble
The former two-division champion performed a U-turn on retirement less than two weeks after hanging up his gloves following news of the promotion's plans to stage a card at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
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White was initially open to the idea of Jones topping the blockbuster bill along with Conor McGregor, but has since performed a U-turn.
During the UFC 318 post-fight press conference, he said: "I can't risk putting him in big positions, in a big spot, and have something go wrong.
"Especially the White House card."
And the UFC headhoncho's sentiment has been echoed by veteran commentator Rogan, who sided with his good friend during a recent episode of his podcast.
He said of Jones: "Now he wants to fight for the title at the White House.
"And Dana is like 'Nope, I can't trust Jon to not f*** something up.' Which is wild.
"But also what are you going to say when Jon just recently got in more trouble? It's a story as old as time, isn't it?"
Jones, 38, was recently charged with leaving the scene of an accident in New Mexico, where a woman was found 'exhibiting signs of significant intoxication and lacking clothing from the waist down" in February.
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The woman claims Jones was the driver of the vehicle and fled the scene before the police arrived.
According to the police report, she then called the MMA icon, who is alleged to have made "allusions to violence" during a conversation with the authorities..
Tom Aspinall Fires Not So Subtle Dig At Jon Jones After UFC Retirement (1)
Jones has vehemently denied the allegation, claiming the woman found in the car drove away from his house while intoxicated.
Despite his recent brush with the law and White's recent comments, Jones remains confident of fighting at the White House.
He wrote on X: "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.'
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