Jones Fires Back at White Over White House Fight Doubts
UFC CEO Cites Past Issues for Refusing Star a Landmark Event
Mixed martial arts veteran **Jon Jones** has expressed his disappointment following UFC CEO **Dana White**’s remarks regarding his potential participation in a hypothetical White House event. White cited Jones’s history of legal troubles and failed drug tests as reasons he cannot be trusted in a high-profile, significant position.
White’s Hesitation Blocks Jones’s White House Ambitions
Following UFC 318 in New Orleans, **Dana White** was questioned about the possibility of **Jon Jones** returning in July 2026 for a UFC event commemorating the United States’ 250th Independence Day. White firmly rejected the idea, stating his inability to risk placing **Jones** in such a critical role, emphasizing, “I just can’t risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong, especially the White House card.”
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…
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) July 20, 2025
Jones Remains Ready, Sees Greater Purpose in Fighting for Country
**Jones**, who has a documented history of legal issues, including multiple failed drug tests that led to title relinquishments and overturned results, responded on social media. He conveyed his disappointment with White’s assessment of his reliability.
“I heard the comments made at last night’s press conference,” **Jones** posted. “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.”
He further elaborated on his motivation: “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.” **Jones** affirmed his readiness to fight on July 4th.
Career Highlights and Controversies
The 38-year-old **Jones** announced his retirement in June amidst an unresolved rivalry with interim heavyweight champion **Tom Aspinall**. Their highly anticipated bout never materialized, leading to **Jones** vacating his undisputed heavyweight title and **Aspinall** being promoted. **Jones** is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters ever, boasting an undefeated record across 30 professional bouts, though his career has been overshadowed by numerous incidents outside the cage.
His checkered past includes allegations of leaving the scene of an accident and threatening law enforcement officers. Despite these issues, **Jones** has maintained his commitment to training and remains within the UFC’s drug-testing program, indicating a potential return to competition.
The UFC has seen significant events at notable venues, including its debut in Paris, France, which reportedly drew over 56,000 attendees to the Stade de France for UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov in September 2022.