Daniel Cormier Endorses Jon Jones for UFC White House Card Despite Rivalry

The Case for Jones

Cormier highlighted the lack of American fighters in the UFC’s current pound-for-pound top 10 and drew parallels to recent events like Noche UFC, where Mexican fighters dominated. For him, Jones provides not just star power, but also the best chance to showcase American success at a politically symbolic venue.

He pointed to a potential matchup with Tom Aspinall, the current interim heavyweight champion and one of the sport’s most dangerous rising stars.

“If you put Jon Jones against Tom Aspinall, when that line opens, I bet Jon Jones is still going to be the favorite,” Cormier said. “He’ll be the guy who’s the world champion, or at least was the world champion before he vacated his title and retired. He’ll still be the favorite to win that fight. I think you’ve got to let him fight.”

A Contract With Safeguards

Acknowledging White’s concerns, Cormier suggested a practical solution: build strict contractual clauses that penalize Jones heavily if he fails to show up.

“If you put Jon Jones on the White House card, say something happens in the law, $1 million [penalty]. Say he doesn’t want to fight, $1 million. Say he gets injured, then it should be less, as long as the injury can be proven. But you put these safeguards in place to make sure that he shows up.”

Cormier emphasized the magnitude of pairing Jones with Conor McGregor, who is already set to headline the White House event against Michael Chandler.

“You make a card with him and Conor McGregor? Massive. Massive eyes will be on that card. Two, you put an American guy in there that has a real chance to win and send everyone home feeling very good. It’s why the good guys win at the end of movies … The White House card deserves the chance for that to happen.”

Why It Matters

Cormier’s surprising endorsement underscores the stakes for the UFC White House card, which White has promised will be the “biggest event in company history.” With McGregor-Chandler already anticipated to be a blockbuster, the addition of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall would create an unprecedented double-headliner.

For now, White remains resistant. But with even his most bitter rival calling for Jones’ inclusion, the pressure to book him for the card may only grow.