Conor McGregor would like to be joined atop the UFC’s biggest ever fight card by Jon Jones, despite Dana White’s insistence against it.
The legendary duo have both made their intentions clear about fighting at the UFC White House event next June, but White refuses to budge on Jones’ exclusion. He insists that he only wants the most reliable of fighters on the show, which would rule out the controversial two-weight champion.
However, McGregor seems to think that Jones would be a welcome inclusion at an event where he stands to make $200million in payouts and perks. The Irishman hasn’t fought in four years, and will be almost half a decade out of the octagon by next summer.
Conor McGregor wants Jon Jones on the UFC White House card
During an appearance at BKFC 81 tonight in Manchester, Conor McGregor caught up with Seconds Out for a brief chat following the event. He was asked about the White House card, which he claims is being discussed between his team and Donald Trump’s administration – not UFC bosses.
And asked by Ayman Khan if he feels Jones should be joining him on the card, he simply replied in the affirmative while walking away to sign autographs.
McGregor and Jones never shared a show on his way up the ranks, but they were scheduled to co-headline at UFC 178 back in 2014 before an injury forced the American out.
“I’m not negotiating with the UFC on behalf of myself for this fight like usual,” McGregor said of his negotiations for next summer’s event. “I am negotiating with the United States of America on behalf of Ireland for this fight.
“So it is a peculiar one. But [President Donald] Trump, the administration have been fully supportive and backing and I cannot wait to put on a show.”
Dana White wants no part of Jon Jones at UFC White House
Dana White has contiously made it clear that he believes Jon Jones is not reliable enough to earn a spot on what will be a monumental night for the UFC. He branded the former two-weight champion’s chances as a billion to one, and continues to stand by that point.
Speaking with Zach Gelb on Sirius XM last month, the UFC boss explained that the former champion even apologized in a desperate effort to land a spot on the show.
“It wasn’t a conversation,” White said. “He reached out, he wrote, like, a text saying ‘listen, sorry how this all played out’ or whatever. ‘I want to fight at the White House, I’m serious about that’.”
When Gelb asked if it had changed his stance on the issue, White quickly replied: “No. I appreciate it, I appreciate him reaching out and doing that. But I need people I can count on for this fight. I know who they are and I know who they are not.”