MMA news: ‘I can’t be in that position’ - Dana White reveals why Jon Jones will not return at UFC White House card
Dana White has again poured cold water on a potential Jon Jones return at the highly anticipated UFC event at the White House, scheduled for 2026.
Jones, 38, announced his retirement from MMA back in June despite having an offer on the table to defend his UFC heavyweight title against the then-interim champion, Tom Aspinall.
Despite the match-up being arguably the most anticipated heavyweight bout in the history of the sport, Jones repeatedly refused to commit to fight the hard-hitting Englishman.
The entire saga regarding a potential Jones and Aspinall fight was the talk of the UFC for a year or so, and it seems as though White has not forgotten about the former light-heavyweight and heavyweight champions' antics when it came to avoiding the Aspinall fight.
Sports News Blitz’s Niall Togher gives his reaction to White’s recent comments on Jones’ potential return at the UFC White House card.
White reveals Jones backtracked on a deal to fight Aspinall
Since his retirement over the summer, Jones has frequently expressed his desire to return to the Octagon against Alex Pereira at the UFC event, which is set to be held at the White House next year.
While this would undoubtedly be a hugely profitable fight, White has repeatedly shut down the possibility of Jones returning at the historic event, and his stance does not appear to have changed.
In a recent appearance on Andrew Schulz’s podcast ‘Flagrant’, the UFC CEO revealed why he cannot afford to have Jones take up a spot on one of the most anticipated cards in MMA history.
“I can’t put Jon Jones in a position where he can (pull out).
“We had a deal to fight Tom Aspinall, and he said, ‘You know what, I’m not going to do it.’
“He didn’t want to do it, I can’t be in that position,” White said.
Jones’ last appearance in the Octagon came in November 2024, but it took seven months of delaying tactics before he ultimately retired instead of choosing to defend his belt against the next contender in line.
White must stand firm on Jones' return
The talk around a potential Jones return will only ramp up even further the closer we get to the White House card.
White must continue to stand firm and not allow Jones to fight again in the UFC, purely out of sporting integrity.
The American held up the UFC’s heavyweight division during his reign and wasted valuable time in Aspinall’s career as he was forced to sit on the sidelines and wait for a fight that never materialised.
Rewarding Jones’ behaviour with a fight against Pereira at the White House would only encourage similar behaviour from other fighters, who may also attempt to pick and choose their opponents, holding up their respective divisions.
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