The MMA community is buzzing after Jon “Bones” Jones revealed his plans to return to the UFC, with potential headline participation in a groundbreaking fight on the White House lawn. This announcement follows former President Donald Trump’s proposal to host the event in 2026 as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration.
Jones recently retired after an iconic run in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions but shared his excitement about the unique idea during the ESPYs red carpet event on Wednesday night.
Jones Reflects on Retirement and New Challenges Ahead
Jon Jones explained his earlier decision to retire, noting he felt he had accomplished everything within the sport and sought new challenges beyond titles and financial gain.
“I was retired. I felt like I was at a place where I’ve done it all in the MMA space, and felt like there wasn’t too many more challenges for me, and I just wanted to do something more than championships and money,”
—Jon Jones, MMA Fighter
Hearing of Trump’s vision to hold a fight at the White House Garden, Jones describes the opportunity as monumental and deeply meaningful.
“I’m a very proud American. I have a lot of close friends that are in the military, and this is my act. I can’t call it service, but… Just to be able to entertain the country and the world at this level at the White House, it just means the world to me. So I’m back.”
—Jon Jones, MMA Fighter
Trump’s Bold Plan to Host UFC at the White House
Trump unveiled the idea on July 3 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, emphasizing the ambition to stage a UFC championship fight on the Executive Mansion grounds.
He highlighted the vast space available and the expectation that UFC president Dana White would make the event possible.
“Dana is great, one of a kind — going to be UFC fight, championship fight, full fight, like 20,000 to 25,000 people, and we’re going to do that as part of ‘250’ also.”
—Donald Trump, Former President
Potential Opponents and Event Challenges
Jones’ comments have triggered speculation regarding who might step into the octagon with him, with names like interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall emerging as possible contenders for a high-profile clash. Aspinall recently challenged Jones, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster showdown.
Organizers face significant logistical hurdles to adapt the White House grounds into a fully functional UFC arena. Despite these complexities, the prospect of an event on such historic soil has captivated fans and industry insiders alike.
The Significance of Jones’ Role and What Lies Ahead
As the central figure in this historic proposal backed strongly by Donald Trump, Jon Jones is positioned to headline what could become an unprecedented event in UFC history. If realized, the fight would not only celebrate America’s milestone anniversary but also elevate mixed martial arts to an entirely new level of national prominence.
With plans still in early development, anticipation is building for further announcements about the event, its participants, and the unique experience it promises to deliver for both fighters and fans.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was revealed that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These are found in Tadalafil, a medication for erectile dysfunction, which Jones admitted to using.
Q. Why did Jon Jones have surgery?
A. Neil S. ElAttrache performed surgery in California to remove bone spurs from Jones’s left elbow. In October, Jones also had surgery to fix a torn pectoral tendon. This injury will probably sideline him for the first half of 2024. According to Jones, the bone spur operation requires about 10 weeks to heal, so it won’t change his expected recovery timeline.