Jon Jones has been angling for a place on the White House event since its announcement earlier this year. Despite many believing him to be a shoo-in for a spot, one UFC legend isn’t so certain.
All eyes are on Dana White and the UFC to live up to the expectations they have set for the White House card in June next year. The show is being billed as the best in company history and is expected to promote the very best the sport has to offer, with or without the inclusion of Jones.
The latter stages of Bones’ career in mixed martial arts have been unusual. The New Mexico native has a career worth celebrating, but several mishaps outside of the cage have put a dent in his legacy.
While many ignore his inability to stay out of trouble and focus solely on what he has achieved in competition, a recent life choice has left him in a precarious position.
After a successful stint at heavyweight, Jon Jones opted against defending his title against the surging Tom Aspinall—despite already agreeing to do so—instead deciding to retire. This decision has damaged his reputation with the UFC and could cost him a place on the once-in-a-lifetime White House card set to unfold in 2026.
Dana White now believes Jon Jones cannot be trusted to deliver on his promises. Since returning from his short retirement, Jones has been vocal about wanting to be an addition at the UFC White House event, but Chael Sonnen isn’t confident that it will happen.
“He’s missing the point,” Sonnen said. “The company coming out and saying that they can’t trust him and him making a demand that he will only fight on [the White House card]. That is what they are saying, ‘We can’t trust you.'”
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“Nobody gets to pick what card they come back [for], and they only come back for this. Jon’s doing his best, he’s just not very bright.”
“He doesn’t understand that that’s what he is doing. He’s trying to be a team player and going, ‘Man, I’ll fight anybody. I’ll fight [Tom] Aspinall, I’ll fight Ciryl [Gane], I’ll fight [Alex] Pereira.’ He’s missing the point that he’s making a demand and he doesn’t get to be the selective.”
“Nobody gets to pick what card they come back and they only come back for this. Jon’s doing his best. He’s just not very bright.”
Chael doesn’t think it was smart for Jones to go all-or-nothing with his desire to fight on the White House card. #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/FgWSEBZ6Dy
— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) December 16, 2025
