The fight card for the June 14 UFC event planned for the White House was officially announced on Saturday and was met with mixed reactions. The six-bout event features two title bouts, but what may have stood out the most was who was not part of the announcement.
When President Donald Trump revealed last July that the White House lawn would host a UFC event during the America 250 Freedom celebration, former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones had announced his retirement just days prior. Upon hearing the plans, Jones quickly came out of retirement and rejoined the anti-doping testing pool hoping to be part of the historic event.
UFC CEO Dana White voiced immediate opposition to Jones being considered for the White House event and listed several reasons why. During Saturday’s UFC 326 Post-Fight Press Conference, White further explained why Jones was never even considered.
“Never ever, ever, which I told you guys 100,000 times, was Jon Jones even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House. I wouldn’t,” White said. “First of all, I’ve told you why I wouldn’t do it. And No. 2, some guy with Meta Glasses on filmed him talking about his hips, that his hips are so bad. And I don’t know if you guys saw the flag football game where he can barely run. Jon Jones, he retired because of his hips. He’s got arthritis. Apparently, he’s been, you know, doctors say he should have a hip replacement. That on top of all the other reasons.”
“I’m not saying they weren’t talking to Jon Jones and that Jon Jones wasn’t interested in the fight,” continued White. “And what was even crazier is Jon Jones came out and was like, ‘I’m in negotiations right. now for the White House fight’ after I had already sent a text to his lawyer saying it’s never going to happen, ever.”