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Dana White rejects Jon Jones’ UFC White House plea but hints at another iconic comeback

Originally posted on HITC | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 11:43 AM ET

Dana White is not moving from his position on Jon Jones fighting at the White House, even after a personal apology behind closed doors.

White has never outright linked Jones’ decision not to unify the heavyweight division with Tom Aspinall to his absence from next summer’s super card, but the signs are hard to ignore.

The former UFC two-weight champion had initially agreed to face Aspinall in 2025, only to retire in June.

That retirement did not last long, though. He was back in training soon after President Donald Trump announced the octagon would be heading to the White House next year.

Jon Jones reaches out to Dana White

Since the UFC announced its White House card this summer, Jones has spoken about finding a new reason to fight. The 38-year-old superstar has even suggested that he would be willing to face any opponent, hinting that a bout with Aspinall could still happen.

Dana White, though, has remained firm in his stance. He says he needs reliable fighters for the event and does not believe Jones fits that bill. Speaking to Zach Gelb on Sirius XM, White shared that Jones had sent an apology message in hopes of getting back on the card.

“It wasn’t a conversation. He reached out, he wrote, like, a text saying ‘listen, sorry how this all played out’ or whatever. ‘I want to fight at the White House, I’m serious about that’.”

However, that was not enough to change the UFC chief’s mind.

“No. I appreciate it, I appreciate him reaching out and doing that. But I need people I can count on for this fight. I know who they are and I know who they are not,” he said.

Conor McGregor in line for UFC return at White House event

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Even though Jones will not be stepping into the octagon next summer, there is still a big name fans could get excited about seeing again.

Conor McGregor, who has not fought in four years and withdrew from his last scheduled bout, is still considered reliable by White.

Speaking to the Wade Concept, he explained: “[Jon Jones] is the greatest of all time, I still know that to be a fact. “But he’s not the greatest of all time ‘guy you can count on that you know 100 per cent is going to be solid and be there’. Say what you want about Conor McGregor because people like to talk s— about that too, but he is that guy.

“He’s always been that guy, I’ve been in the room and on the phone with him. There are a lot of guys who talk tough publicly but behind the scenes it’s a whole other ball game. When the s— hits the fan who’s really willing to go out there? Conor McGregor has always been that guy.”

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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