United States President Donald Trump recently revealed plans to host a UFC fight at the White House as part of the America250 celebration in 2026, sparking widespread excitement in the MMA community. Among the rumored bouts, a highly anticipated fight featuring Jon Jones and Conor McGregor has captured significant attention due to its historic setting and star power.
Considerations for Jon Jones’ Potential Return and Aspinall’s Role
On his YouTube channel, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping proposed that Jon Jones might come out of retirement to headline the White House event if heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall secures a victory in his upcoming match against Ciryl Gane. Bisping emphasized that a lackluster win by Aspinall could provoke Jones’ competitive drive, suggesting a showdown between the two:
“That’s going to have Jon Jones thinking, ‘Wait a minute… I can beat this guy.’ If there is one fight, there’s one location, that Jon Jones would come out of retirement for… That would be the main event at the White House. Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, England vs. USA, all over again.”
—Michael Bisping, Former UFC Middleweight Champion
Jones’ vacillation on facing Aspinall has been well-documented, with demands for high financial terms and skepticism over Aspinall’s record. Jones ultimately retired from professional MMA in June, which led to Aspinall becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Conor McGregor’s Interest in the White House Fight
Conor McGregor has publicly expressed eagerness to compete at the White House event, making him a favored candidate for the co-main event slot according to Bisping. McGregor’s star power and willingness could make for a highly marketable matchup, potentially against Michael Chandler, McGregor’s expected rival from their time as coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 31.
“Co-main event, McGregor already has his hand up… You know what he said – ‘This is the perfect place to settle the score.’ This fight is obviously three or four years in the making. Of course, they recorded The Ultimate Fighter… But if there is a spot, if there is a place, it’s the White House… And of course, taking on Michael Chandler, who was just destroyed by Paddy Pimblett… If Conor comes back… I think he would probably beat Michael Chandler.”
—Michael Bisping, Former UFC Middleweight Champion
McGregor was scheduled to fight Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, but withdrew due to a toe injury, which prevented the bout from happening. Chandler later returned at UFC 314, where he lost to Paddy Pimblett via third-round TKO.
Recent Developments in Jones and McGregor’s Careers
Tom Aspinall’s quest to unify the heavyweight title has been interrupted by Jones’ inconsistent approach toward accepting the fight. Meanwhile, McGregor’s planned return to the octagon has been delayed multiple times owing to USADA sanctions and his acting commitments, including his role in the movie “Road House.” These factors have contributed to uncertainty around both fighters’ immediate futures.
The possibility of Jones and McGregor sharing the card at such a historic locale adds an unprecedented atmosphere to the 2026 America250 celebration. Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching to see if either fighter will agree to participate, potentially marking a landmark moment in UFC history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. The substances Jones tested positive for were clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These are found in Tadalafil, a medication he admitted to using for erectile dysfunction.