Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, two of MMA’s most prominent figures, are once again stirring buzz with hints of returns on a UFC White House event, but this time, many fans have grown doubtful. Despite their legendary statuses, statements from the two veterans throughout 2025 have increasingly felt like theatrical gestures rather than serious announcements about actual fights.
These repeated teases have evolved into a recognizable pattern, leaving followers frustrated by cycles of hype, patriotism-themed promises, and eventual silence. This ongoing back-and-forth damages the sport’s integrity and wears down the enthusiasm of its dedicated audience, especially when genuine action inside the Octagon remains uncertain.
Conor McGregor’s Repeated Comeback Promises Fail to Materialize
‘The Notorious’ McGregor has not stepped into the Octagon since July 2021 but remains a constant presence in media and social platforms, often fueling anticipation that ultimately fizzles out. Recently, he told The Schmo,
I’m in the pool… I’m back in the pool. So get ready and stay ready [because] damage will be done. Oval Office. White House garden.
—Conor McGregor, MMA Fighter
Such statements echo familiar patterns of previous buildup followed by disappointment. His withdrawn appearance at UFC 303 due to a broken toe exemplified yet another letdown, on top of older incidents like the nullified UFC 200 return in 2016 because of promotional issues. These repeated unfulfilled promises have become part of his public image, leading to doubt even among his most loyal fans.
Instead of inspiring excitement for a legacy-defining return, McGregor’s behavior increasingly appears geared toward maintaining media attention rather than genuine fight preparedness. Whether it’s socializing with high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump or suggesting political aspirations, optics seem to overshadow actual competition readiness for him.
Jon Jones Mirrors McGregor’s Pattern with His Own Retirement and Return Teases
Jon Jones, often regarded as one of the greatest in MMA history, has expressed similar reluctance to fully commit to forthcoming fights. After defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in 2024, he swiftly announced his retirement, stating,
I felt like I had done it all in the MMA space.
—Jon Jones, MMA Fighter
However, he reversed this decision within two weeks and hinted at a grand return, especially stirred by comments from Donald Trump about hosting a fight at the White House garden. Jones said,
Donald Trump mentioned he wanted to host a fight in the White House garden… To entertain the country and the world at this level, at the White House, it means the world to me.
—Jon Jones, MMA Fighter
Despite the patriotic framing, Jones has noticeably avoided a showdown with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, whom UFC CEO Dana White has identified as Jones’ ideal next opponent. Instead of progressing toward this potentially defining matchup, Jones has made vague remarks about alternative opponents and stall tactics that frustrate fans eager for clarity and competition.
Ongoing Avoidance and Mixed Messages Fuel Doubts About Jones’ Commitment
Jones’ hesitance regarding Aspinall has raised alarm bells more than once. Demands for higher pay, extended prep time, and suggestions of lesser-known opponents have been seen by many as attempts to dodge the most relevant challenge to his standing. When confronted by fans accusing him of avoidance during an Instagram Live session, Jones responded with laughter or dismissive remarks, intensifying skepticism about his intentions.
Further diminishing his credibility, Jones abruptly ended an interview when pressed about the Aspinall fight situation, highlighting his reluctance to engage transparently with the MMA community. Now, with the UFC White House card framed as a crowning achievement for his career, fans wait to see if this will be another instance of show without substance.
The Growing Disillusionment Surrounding McGregor and Jones’ UFC Prospects
Both McGregor and Jones once embodied the highest standard of MMA excellence and reliability, but repeated cycles of anticipated comebacks followed by cancellations or extended silence have battered that foundation. Their constant publicity tactics have weakened fan trust, a critical link in maintaining the sport’s passionate following.
The UFC was built on fighters committed to facing challenges head-on, willing to put everything on the line in actual bouts. Rather than craving sensational or mythical returns, the fanbase desires true competition, authentic fights where legacies are shaped by action instead of words. Unless Jones and McGregor move beyond their posturing and commit to actual matchups, their significance in MMA will remain trapped by the noise they have created.
The Implications of the White House Event Hype for the Sport’s Future
The teasing of a UFC event at the White House garden, though potentially historic, risks being remembered as a spectacle rather than a milestone if it fails to produce concrete fights. McGregor and Jones hold influential positions in MMA, and how they handle these comeback narratives could influence public perception of the sport for years to come.
As UFC CEO Dana White continues to advocate for a Jones vs. Aspinall bout, the spotlight remains on the fighters to deliver. Fans and analysts alike watch cautiously, hoping that this time the anticipation leads to meaningful competition instead of another chapter lost to empty promises and media stunts.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. The hearing showed that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These are found in Tadalafil, a drug for erectile dysfunction that Jones admitted to using.
Q. Why did Jon Jones have surgery?
A. Neil S. ElAttrache in California performed surgery on bone spurs in Jones’s left elbow. In October, Jones underwent an operation to fix a torn pectoral tendon, which might keep him out until mid-2024. The recovery for the bone spur procedure takes about 10 weeks, according to Jones, so it won’t change his planned return schedule.