Record-breaking UFC champ admits Jon Jones ‘deserves’ to headline the White House event more than him

Jon Jones’ claim to the UFC White House main event has another prominent supporter.

The former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion has been making more noise than any other fighter when it comes to securing a spot on the June 14 card in Washington D.C.

Dana White announced Jones’ retirement shortly before United States President Donald Trump revealed plans to stage UFC fights on the White House lawn in 2026.

That news quickly brought about a U-turn from Jones, who immediately staked his claim for the headline assignment along with the promotion’s biggest star of all time, Conor McGregor. Unlike the Irishman, White publicly rejected Jones’ plea, branding him too unreliable for such an occasion.

One of the UFC’s most dominant active champions has now joined those calling on the UFC president to change his stance.

Who should headline the UFC White House card?

Merab Dvalishvili supports Jon Jones’ claim to the UFC White House main event spot

If the UFC were choosing a headline star based on merit, reigning bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili would likely be at the top of the pile.

The Georgian star has cemented himself as the leading choice for ‘Fighter of the Year’ with three successful title defenses to date. A record-breaking fourth defense will come when Dvalishvili and Petr Yan headline UFC 323 next Saturday.

But while ‘The Machine’ would love to compete on the White House lawn in 2026, he thinks there are more deserving American options for the main event, including Jones.

“That will be a great honor for me and I will be grateful forever,” Dvalishvili said during an interview with Stake regarding the UFC White House main event.

“But, even though I’m an American citizen now and the only American champion, I am still Georgian, and I think lots of great American fighters want to headline this event.

“I think they deserve it more, people like Jon Jones,” he added.