UPDATE: UFC CEO Dana White has decisively ruled out former champion Jon Jones from the highly anticipated UFC event scheduled for the White House on July 4, 2026. White emphatically stated, “I would not bet on it,” during a postfight news conference in Chicago, indicating that the odds of Jones fighting on that card are a staggering billion-to-1.
This announcement comes just weeks after Jones, 38, announced his desire to make a comeback following his retirement from MMA in June, where he opted out of a heavyweight title unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall. Despite Jones’ interest in the event, White’s comments suggest that the promotion is moving in a different direction.
White has expressed concerns over Jones’ past reliability issues as a significant factor for his exclusion. Once hailed as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, Jones has faced numerous legal troubles, including a felony hit-and-run charge in 2015 and recent criminal charges for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in February. His history prompted the UFC to strip him of his title multiple times.
“If I had to make odds, it’s a billion-to-1 odds I put Jon Jones on the White House card,”
White added during the press conference, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Jones was also notably flagged for a potential doping violation just days before the landmark UFC 200 event in 2016, leading to a one-year suspension.
While White has yet to finalize the lineup for the White House event, several big-name fighters are already keen on participating. Notably, Conor McGregor, who has not fought since 2021, is among those expressing interest. White has indicated that he won’t begin serious considerations for the card until next year but is not anticipating including Jones, despite the fighter’s recent re-entry into the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program.
With the fight card set to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence, excitement is building. Fans and fighters alike are eagerly awaiting further announcements regarding who will ultimately be featured in this historic event.
The developments surrounding Jones and the White House UFC event highlight ongoing tensions within the organization, particularly as they navigate the complexities of fighter reliability and public perception. As the date approaches, all eyes will be on the UFC as they finalize their plans for a monumental July 4 celebration.
