Should McGregor And Jones Be Off The White House Card?

Chael Sonnen argues that the UFC should resist the urge to put Conor McGregor and Jon Jones on the upcoming UFC White House card on June 14.

Sonnen believes that building the most significant event in the promotion’s history around its most “unreliable” assets is a mistake. Sonnen highlighted Dana White’s recent admissions that he is “skeptical” about Jon Jones’ reliability. White was confident Jones would fight Tom Aspinall, only to then vacate his heavyweight title and retire. While Jones reversed his retirement, White said the chances of him fighting on the White House card are a ‘billion to one.’ Jones’ recent admission of arthritis in his hip has also cast doubt over his future.

“I think I could be done. I’m young enough to compete with some of the best fighters in the world. I am healthy enough to compete with some of the best fighters in the world, but I’ve always been used to competing with the best in the world. It’s a really high standard to uphold. 

“So, maybe it’s just about doing it, doing it right, and getting out at a really good time. I don’t want to be one of these fighters that win some and lose some and can’t remember what your name is. I met a fighter a few years ago. He didn’t know when his birthday was. That’s a lot of fighting. I’m far from that and I don’t even want to know what that looks like,” Jones said 

Sonnen Reacts

Sonnen also argued that by placing non-title holders like McGregor (who hasn’t fought since 2021) in a headlining spot, the UFC is acknowledging that its actual champions aren’t the primary draw. Sonnen noted that a “one-of-one” event should be about the spectacle and the current elite, rather than “legacy names” who may not be able to make it to the fight.

“You’re going to have more eyeballs on this than we’ve ever had in the history of the UFC. So, if you’re on the second floor of the UFC, it is not just to deliver to your fanbase, it’s to expose these new fans and to make them fans, and do as close as you can to get them to hardcore as you can. 

“And what you can’t do is to expose them to something that you can’t show them again. I don’t know if you’re going to get Conor McGregor to make another walk. I don’t know. Gun-to-head type scenario – No. You’re never going to see Conor again. But even if you can get Conor to do another walk, you’re not going to get him to make another two,” Sonnen said