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Jon Jones Responds to Dana White’s Comments On UFC’s White House Card
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jon Jones has finally broken his silence. Following Dana White’s revelation that the UFC is working to stage a fight card at the White House. The former two division champion stunned fans earlier this year when he announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. That decision, however, appears to have softened in the wake of the UFC’s historic plans. Jones, who had previously declared himself done with competition. Now says he is training again and hopeful about the possibility of competing on the South Lawn of the White House.

“Despite the odds, I’m still training and optimistic about the possibility of being part of the White House event,” Jones wrote. “At the end of the day, Dana is the boss and it’s his call whether I compete that night or not. I do know Dana was really excited about the fight, and the door hasn’t been completely closed. That’s all a guy like me really needs. It sounds like another awesome goal to be inspired by. Sometimes in life, we’re not going to reach everything we set out to do and that’s okay. But I like my chances… after all, one in a billion is exactly what it took to end up as Jon ‘Bones’ Jones in the first place.”

Jones concluded his statement by leaning into the longshot nature of the opportunity: “Sometimes in life, we’re not going to reach everything we set out to do and that’s okay. But I like my chances… after all, one in a billion is exactly what it took to end up as Jon ‘Bones’ Jones in the first place.”

Dana White Calls It Unlikely

Despite Jones’ optimism, UFC CEO Dana White poured cold water on the idea. During the UFC 319 post fight press conference. White described the odds of Jones competing at the White House card as “a billion to one.” Still, he continued to praise Jones as the greatest fighter of all time and left the door cracked open for unexpected developments.

Jones’ Heavyweight Run

Jones made a successful transition to heavyweight in 2023. Capturing the vacant UFC title by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Before defending the belt with a stoppage of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. While those accomplishments added to his legendary résumé. Many fans were left unsatisfied, as the long-anticipated s howdown with interim champion Tom Aspinall never materialized.

Jones’ decision to retire in June effectively ended those hopes. Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion. He’s now set to defend his title against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321. Having moved on, Aspinall has publicly stated he no longer has interest in fighting Jones. After calling for the matchup for nearly two years.

What’s Next?

For now, the White House event remains in its planning stages, and Jones’ participation is far from guaranteed. Yet his willingness to return even under the slimmest of odds suggests the story of Jon “Bones” Jones may not be finished just yet.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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