Jon Jones continues to claim that he is working towards a return to the UFC in 2026 on the mega event targeted to take place at the White House.
After a heavyweight saga that lasted months, Dana White announced the official retirement of Jon Jones last month following the promotion’s first ever event in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Not long after, the U.S. president Donald Trump revealed that on July 4, 2026, the UFC will hold a spectacular event at the White House, which immediately got Jon Jones‘ attention.
The former UFC heavyweight champion then made a bold claim that he had already taken steps to re-enter the UFC anti-doping testing pool, cutting his retirement short as he targeted a return on the White House event.
Jones responds to offer for fight against Fedor Emelianenko on White House alternative
However, although ‘Bones’ made it clear that he wanted to be part of the one-of-a-kind event, Dana White shut down Jones’ comeback dream, alluding to the fact that he can’t trust Jones on such a big event.
And with that, the consensus greatest fighter of all time was in Russia this past weekend at an IBA Bare Knuckle boxing show where he was brought out as a guest of honor.
During the event, Jones was pitched a White House alternative fight by the head of IBO boxing, Al Siesta, which he subsequently turned down.
“Jon, you know that card at the White House, are you participating in it?” Siesta asked.
“I’d like to be, I’m working towards it,” Jones responded.
“Listen to this, if that’s not happening, I’ve got an alternative for you. Red Square, would you like it to happen on the Red Square?” Siesta offered.
“I’m contractually obligated to the UFC for a very long time,” Jones politely said.
“No, listen if we agree with Dana White we bring you to the Red Square as an alternative to the White House card, Dana, I’ll speak to you about it… I’m gonna get someone like Fedor (Emelianenko), two boxers,” Siesta offered.
“No. No one wants to see Fedor and I fight, I don’t want to fight Fedor, I absolutely love Fedor, he’s been one of my big idols for a long time. It’s the same with Anderson Silva, these guys inspired me in my youth and that will never change,” Jones turned down the offer.
Joe Rogan named Fedor Emelianenko the greatest heavyweight ever
Fedor Emelianenko is now 48 years old and hasn’t fought in professional MMA since 2023 when he was knocked out by Ryan Bader.
Despite having never fought under the UFC banner, UFC icon Joe Rogan often labels Fedor as the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time for his early dominance in the sport.