In a bold and unprecedented move, UFC President Dana White is backing former President Donald Trump’s vision of staging a UFC fight at the White House, with none other than Jon Jones possibly coming out of retirement for the main event. As the UFC prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the idea of hosting a high-profile bout on the South Lawn has stirred massive buzz across the MMA community.
Jones could headline the White House card
White confirmed during an appearance on the Full Send Podcast that discussions for the White House event are actively underway. With Trump’s long-standing relationship with the UFC and his growing interest in MMA, the proposal no longer sounds like a distant fantasy.
“Everybody wants to fight on this card. Literally everybody,” Dana White said. “We will absolutely, positively put on the baddest card of all time.”
One of the most notable names expressing interest is UFC legend Jon Jones, who shocked fans by announcing his retirement on June 21, 2025. However, according to White, the 37-year-old has already re-entered the drug-testing pool — a signal that a comeback might be closer than anticipated.
“The dream main event right now would be [Tom] Aspinall vs. Jones,” Dana White stated, fueling excitement among fans who’ve long awaited a showdown between the interim champ and the former heavyweight king.
Jon Jones: “I found my reason why”
Jones himself added fuel to the speculation, posting on X (formerly Twitter) about the impact Trump’s announcement had on him.
“Who knows what the future holds, but the moment I heard Donald Trump’s announcement, I started training again,” Jon Jones wrote. “Donald made his announcement on the morning of the Fourth of July, I called the UFC headquarters that very same afternoon. I’ll just leave it at that. America!”
Jones, known for his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, also revealed that this fight would transcend championships and financial gains for him.
“I don’t care who I fight that night. I found my reason why, that’s what I needed — something that was more than money,” he responded to a fan calling it the “most epic fight in history.”
A superfight with historic stakes
If finalized, this event won’t just be a spectacle for MMA fans — it could become one of the most iconic sporting moments in U.S. history. With the White House and Washington Monument as the backdrop, and legends like Jon Jones potentially on the card, Dana White’s vision might just redefine the UFC’s legacy.