Jon Jones addressed Dana White’s remarks following UFC 318, expressing his disappointment but maintaining readiness for future opportunities. The 38-year-old fighter had recently stirred controversy by retiring unexpectedly after committing to a bout against Tom Aspinall. However, he quickly reversed his retirement decision upon learning that a UFC event is scheduled to take place at the White House in July 2026, sparking hopes of a comeback. Despite this, UFC President Dana White dismissed the possibility of Jones returning for the White House card, causing frustration for the former two-division world champion.
Jones Shares His Perspective on the White House Fight Opportunity
The day after UFC 318, Jon Jones issued a detailed statement on social media, voicing his feelings about being excluded from the highly anticipated White House event. While he admitted feeling “a little disappointed,” Jones emphasized that he continues to remain in the UFC’s drug testing pool and is training diligently. He remains optimistic about competing again, driven not just by financial incentives but by a meaningful purpose tied to representing his country on a historic platform.
Jones explained,
“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!”
He also highlighted that fans recognize his commitment and willingness to face any opponent, presenting this chance as part of a broader quest for legacy rather than a single event.
“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.” — Jon Jones, Fighter
Dana White Cites Trust Issues in Rejecting Jones for White House Event
UFC President Dana White clarified his position regarding Jones’s exclusion from the White House card, attributing it to concerns about trust. Though White previously described a matchup between Jones and Aspinall as his ideal main event for 2026, he now hesitates to place such a pivotal fight on a historic stage given Jones’s recent retirement reversal. White expressed unease about entrusting an event of this magnitude to a fighter who had just withdrawn from a previously agreed fight.
During his post-fight press conference, White stated,
“It’s not even about him winning the belt.”
He elaborated,
“You know how I felt about him. You know I can’t risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong – especially the White House card.”
“It’s not even about him winning the belt. You know how I felt about him. You know I can’t risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong – especially the White House card.” — Dana White, UFC President
Implications for Jon Jones and the UFC’s Historic Event
The dispute between Jon Jones and Dana White casts uncertainty over the fighter’s potential participation in the upcoming White House UFC event, a card that promises significant historical and symbolic weight. Jones appears to remain motivated and physically prepared for whatever the future holds, while White’s stance suggests organizational caution in managing high-profile matchups. This tension highlights the challenges of balancing fighter reliability with the promotion’s ambitions for landmark events. Fans and insiders alike will watch closely to see if Jones can regain Dana White’s trust and earn a spot on the 2026 card.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was disclosed that Jones’s positive test results showed clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These are found in Tadalafil, a drug for erectile dysfunction, which Jones admitted to using.