Jon Jones recently shared interest in fighting on the UFC’s America250 event planned for the White House in 2026, prompting concern from his longtime adversary Daniel Cormier. Despite Jones’ announcement about returning to competition after being back in the testing pool, Cormier cautioned that this comeback might not be wise, warning Jones against repeating the media tactics of Conor McGregor.
Following his retirement announcement last month, Jones revealed he had re-entered the drug-testing program, sparked by President Donald Trump’s declaration that UFC fights will be part of the Independence Day celebrations at the White House. Jones demonstrated enthusiasm for participating, suggesting that his retirement might soon end.
While many fans are eager for Jones’ return to the octagon, Cormier views the timing and public approach as a problematic distraction rather than a genuine competitive move.
Daniel Cormier Urges Jon Jones to Avoid Media Stunts Like Those of Conor McGregor
During an episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast hosted by Chael Sonnen, Cormier expressed his frustrations with Jones’ apparent strategy of using media buzz to generate attention. He pleaded with Jones not to follow the example of Conor McGregor, who frequently headlines with announcements about returning but often fails to follow through consistently.
“Let me say this, please don’t become what Conor has become in the media. Every time a big story breaks, Conor’s like, ‘I’m back.’ Don’t do that. Don’t try to make it about you, when you voluntarily walked away from this… Now that he’s done, don’t try to make these stories about you.”
Cormier’s remarks underline his belief that Jones should focus on genuine competition instead of public theatrics.
Daniel Cormier Believes Jon Jones ‘Quit’ Rather Than Properly Retired
Beyond cautioning Jones about his White House return plans, Daniel Cormier also criticized the nature of Jones’ departure from professional fighting. He contends that Jones did not formally retire but rather quit before a highly anticipated match against Tom Aspinall for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title.
Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Cormier elaborated on his perspective, accusing Jones of abandoning his post instead of competing as expected.
“Jon quit. It’s true. Call it what it is. Jon quit. Bro, I said this on my YouTube channel when Jon Jones and I were fighting, he says, ‘I will see in the octagon a 38-year-old man while I’m just entering into my prime.’ Those words are now the exact same words that can be spoken to him on the other side. When the words were related to him, he said I’m out. I’m not doing it. That’s why I said he quit.”
The Implications of Jon Jones’ UFC White House Return and Future Prospects
Daniel Cormier’s warnings highlight a growing tension surrounding Jon Jones’ potential reentry into competitive UFC fights, especially in such a high-profile setting as the White House event planned by Donald Trump. Cormier’s concerns center on protecting Jones’ legacy from unnecessary media distractions and urging him to commit sincerely if he returns.
As Jones weighs his next steps, the scrutiny and advice from a seasoned rival like Cormier may influence whether Jones moves forward with the America250 card or chooses a different path. The outcome will shape both Jones’ career narrative and the UFC’s promotion strategy for the historic White House fight event.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was disclosed that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These substances are found in Tadalafil, which is a medication for erectile dysfunction that Jones admitted to using.