UFC president Dana White announced plans for a special card set to take place at the White House on July 4, 2026, emphasizing his confidence in Conor McGregor’s involvement. White confirmed that McGregor is currently in the USADA testing pool and is actively preparing to participate in what could be a landmark fight event.
White stated,
“I trust Conor. He has never failed, except for injuries”
—Dana White, reflecting his trust in the Irish fighter’s reliability. McGregor has been sharing training footage that highlights his readiness for a significant return to the sport, potentially marking one of the most notable comebacks in mixed martial arts.
Cautious Stance on Jon Jones’ Participation
In contrast, White expressed reservations regarding Jon Jones’ potential role at the event. He shared his doubts about Jones’ recent behavior and commitment, noting past difficulties that have complicated their working relationship.
White said,
“I’m a little more skeptical with Jones”
—Dana White, signaling his hesitation toward Jones’ return. He recounted how Jones requested a $30 million purse to fight Tom Aspinall, a deal the UFC accepted, but Jones unexpectedly retired instead of following through.
“He left us in a bad place,”
White added, underscoring the impact of Jones’ abrupt departure and hinting at uncertainty about his future participation at the White House event.
Jones’ Career Challenges Cloud Future Prospects
Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of MMA’s greatest, ruled the light heavyweight division for ten years and briefly held the heavyweight championship in 2023. However, his time competing at heavyweight was short-lived and affected by injuries. Jones retired only two months ago after just one title defense in two years and declined to face Aspinall, adding to questions over his reliability.
Event Aims to Assemble UFC’s Top Fighters, McGregor Front and Center
The upcoming White House show, backed by Dana White and former President Donald Trump, aspires to gather the UFC’s most prominent athletes. While McGregor appears certain to compete, Jones will need to demonstrate firm commitment to secure his place.
White concluded,
“The options are one of lime and one of sand,”
—Dana White, indicating the difficult choices ahead for the event’s lineup and the contrasting situations of the fighters involved.