The year 2026 is poised to be a landmark moment for the United States, commemorating 250 years of independence with celebrations designed to echo through history. Among these ambitious plans is a truly unprecedented event: an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) spectacle held right at the White House. Such an occasion would undeniably etch itself into the annals of sports, blending patriotic fervor with the raw intensity of mixed martial arts.
As the grand vision for this event takes shape, one name consistently dominates the speculative chatter: Jon “Bones” Jones. Widely revered as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in MMA, Jones recently executed a retirement U-turn with the speed of a well-timed takedown, expressing an immediate and fervent desire to be part of this historic White House card. The only catch? UFC CEO Dana White appears to have other plans, citing Jones`s rather… colorful past as a significant deterrent.
Dana White`s Stance: Reliability Over Legacy?
Dana White, a man known for his astute business acumen and no-nonsense approach, wasted little time publicly dismissing Jones`s aspirations for the White House event. His reasoning was clear and, to many, entirely understandable: Jones, despite his unparalleled talent and championship pedigree, has a documented history of unreliability outside the cage. For an event of such immense national and international prestige, involving the highest echelons of government, White`s priority is unequivocally flawless execution and predictability.
One might even appreciate the subtle irony. Here is a promoter who built a global phenomenon on the backs of fighters, often celebrating their rebellious spirit and unpredictable nature, now seeking corporate-level dependability for a truly grand occasion. For White, the stakes are simply too high to risk a last-minute hiccup or an unforeseen controversy.
The Unexpected Chorus: Cejudo and Cormier Back “Bones”
Yet, the MMA community is rarely one to shy away from a compelling debate, and a powerful counter-narrative has swiftly emerged. Leading the charge are two highly respected figures in the sport, both former UFC champions: Henry Cejudo and, perhaps most surprisingly, Jones`s storied arch-rival, Daniel Cormier.
Henry Cejudo, speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, didn`t mince words. He not only predicted that White would “cave in” to Jones`s request but also envisioned a blockbuster main event: Jon Jones challenging the undisputed heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall. Cejudo emphatically declared that this matchup, based purely on Jones`s merit and historical significance, should headline the event over any other contender, including the ever-popular but recently troubled Conor McGregor.
“President Dana White is gonna cave in, bro…and he’s gonna give Jon Jones that opportunity.”
What truly sent ripples through the MMA world, however, was Daniel Cormier`s endorsement. Despite a rivalry that once defined an era of UFC, replete with verbal jabs and intense animosity, Cormier, on his own YouTube channel, expressed his belief that Jones should be allowed to fight. While acknowledging White`s “stern” stance, Cormier felt that for such a monumental event, Jones`s undeniable presence would be an irresistible draw, potentially outweighing past transgressions.
“If I’m being completely honest, I don’t know that I agree. I think I would let him fight.”
The Irresistible Pull of a Legend
This confluence of opinion from such disparate corners of the MMA world highlights a fundamental truth about Jon Jones: he is an anomaly. His career is a complex tapestry woven with threads of unmatched brilliance, controversial incidents, and a mystique that few athletes ever achieve. While Dana White`s concerns about reliability are entirely valid, the allure of seeing arguably the greatest fighter ever compete on such a monumental stage—a White House Octagon, no less—is a powerful, almost gravitational force.
The discerning fight fan, it seems, has a remarkably short memory for misdemeanors when faced with the tantalizing prospect of witnessing history. A Jon Jones return, especially against a formidable, reigning champion like Tom Aspinall, would not just be a fight; it would be a narrative epic, perfectly suited for an event celebrating 250 years of American spirit and resilience.
The Inevitable Outcome?
So, will Dana White, the master negotiator and ultimate showman, maintain his principled stand, or will the sheer magnitude of the moment and the collective voice of the MMA elite, even his former detractors, ultimately sway him? History suggests that the gravitational pull of a true superstar, especially one with Jones`s undeniable, albeit sometimes challenging, talent, often proves irresistible in the long run. The White House event demands a main event of epic proportions, and few can deliver that scale of drama, anticipation, and pure spectacle quite like Jon Jones.
As 2026 draws nearer, all eyes will be fixed on Dana White, awaiting what many predict will be an inevitable capitulation to the demands of legacy, the thrill of spectacle, and the enduring, if sometimes problematic, legend of Jon “Bones” Jones.
Finlay Hurst