MMA news: Is UFC White House too big a stage for legendary but controversial Jon Jones?

Jon Jones is arguably the greatest fighter of all time and should be a no-brainer for the UFC White House card, but given his history, is Dana White willing to take the risk on MMA’s most unpredictable star?

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ollie Hughes discusses the likelihood of this year’s most-hyped MMA event featuring the infamous ‘Jonny Bones’.

Extravagance on the White House lawn

The UFC is gearing up for what is expected to be its most extravagant, prestigious and high-security event this year: an MMA card set on the southern lawn of the White House.

Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence and the 80th birthday of Donald Trump, the event will reportedly feature six or seven title fights and weigh-ins at the Lincoln Memorial.

Unsurprisingly, such a high-profile card has fighters scrambling for a place – a flashy KO or barn-burner performance could be career changing with so many eyes watching.

And expressing his interest, fresh from a retirement that left a bitter taste in many fans mouths, is Jon Jones.

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Jones an accomplished but controversial figure

There are few figures as accomplished or as controversial in MMA as Jon Jones.

Youngest-ever UFC champ at 21, most title fight wins, longest time spent at number one ranked pound-for-pound – the list of accolades goes on.

Yet, alongside this, Jones has the distinction of being the only champion to have been stripped of his belt three times and has also popped for PEDs more than any other fighter in the company’s history.

His antics outside the cage have caused no shortage of headaches for the UFC too, with entire events moved from one state to another to accommodate him.

So can Dana White really risk having such a loose cannon on a card that’s so important for the UFC?

When asked about the potential of having Jones on the UFC White House card, White has voiced both interest and concern.

Sports entertainment, politics and pageantry collide

While Jones is always a sure-fire way to draw both casual and die-hard fans alike, a card on the White House lawn carries with it a prestigiousness that the UFC cannot afford to fumble.

Blending sports entertainment, politics and pageantry, the event will be a focal point for a presidency that has been marred by chaos and controversy.

In light of the inherent symbolism of proceedings, organisers will no doubt be aiming for a streamlined event with every detail planned down to the letter.

But how does one organise such an event with Jon Jones on the card?

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All eyes on the UFC machine

Whether the UFC likes it or not, there will be more eyes on the White House event than just the typical echo chamber that is MMA media.

This is an event that won’t just be consumed by fight fans scrolling X at 3am.

It’ll be dissected by mainstream news outlets, political commentators and critics who already view the organisation with vague suspicion.

For once, the UFC won’t be able to control the narrative, and that alone changes the calculus of who is allowed on the card.

White in particular, who typically does not respond well to criticism, will be under a microscope during the build-up.

So, does he really need the added stress of having Jones as a main event?

Big egos clash for main card

And therein lies another problem I doubt White wants to touch with a ten-foot pole – with Conor McGregor also eying a spot on the card, who receives the coveted main slot?

As inactive as Jones has been these last few years, Conor has been even more so.

Applying this logic and given Jones’s status as arguably the GOAT of the sport, you’d think the answer would be obvious.

But money talks and despite never having the title defences that Jones does (or any for that matter), McGregor has had the more lucrative career by a very wide margin.

Plus, when discussing egos of the size of these two fighters, it’s hard to believe that one will be willing to play second fiddle to the other as a co-main.

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A potential superfight in the making

Finally, what calibre of opponent will Jones be looking to face should he return, having spent the tail end of his career avoiding risky fights?

At least in this regard, Dana seems to have a lay-up decision.

Current light heavyweight champ, former middleweight champ and bonafide superstar Alex Pereira has been vocal in his desire to fight Jones, with the Brazilian laying the groundwork in a social media campaign to drum up interest.

Jones has also been salivating at the chance to take the shine off of Pereira’s now legendary UFC run and is no doubt keen to take a fight with such a huge discrepancy in grappling experience.

In that, you’d think the UFC would comfortably be planning a home-run – a genuine superfight where the only guaranteed winner is the fans.

Troubled and troublesome star eyes chance

The one thing that stands in the way of this is Jones himself.

Should the fight fail to materialise, it would only be because his history of poor behaviour and almost cartoonish villainy has finally caught up to him.

As a promotion that’s no longer willing to protect and compromise for him, the UFC may finally be ready to move on from one of its most troubled and troublesome stars.

In the end, like always, Jones’ worst enemy won’t be who he faces in the octagon, but himself.

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