UFC star Kamaru Usman is the latest to come out in support of Dana White’s stance on Jon Jones.
The planned UFC event at the White House in 2026 remains the talk of the town, as a number of prominent fighters continue to stake their claim for a spot at the national celebration.
Among the most vocal in outlining their desire to compete in Washington D.C. has been Jones, the former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion. While he initially retired this past summer, the White House revelation drew Jones’ interest and made him immediately commit to a comeback.
Unfortunately for the controversial Rochester native, though, he does not appear to be on the UFC’s list of likely options. White outright rejected Jones’ pleas publicly owing to the leading GOAT contender’s historic unreliability.
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Kamaru Usman understands Dana White’s stance on Jon Jones’ White House plea
Plenty of fans and fighters have been split on the UFC CEO’s decision. While many have backed it, Henry Cejudo predicts White will “cave in” to Jones.
If that does not come to fruition, the former two-division champion’s co-host on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, ex-welterweight king Kamaru Usman, thinks Jones will only have himself to blame.
“You’ve got Jon Jones,” Usman said while listing the White House options. “He wants to come back and do it. Listen, I would love that for Jon Jones.
“But Jon, you can’t play with the game the way he’s played with the game and expect Dana to still trust you and let you back in to do this. You can’t play with the game like that.”
Jones is alleged to have agreed to unify the UFC heavyweight titles against Tom Aspinall this year before suddenly reversing course. That seemingly marked the latest incident that has contributed to White losing trust in the 38-year-old.
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Conor McGregor wants Dana White to make a U-turn on Jon Jones
Interestingly, one of the names many expect to get the nod over Jones to headline the celebratory card disagrees with the UFC boss.
Conor McGregor is targeting UFC White House for his return to action after four years away. Although it seems unlikely that both he and ‘Bones’ would be on the same lineup, McGregor suggested White should let Jones fight while interacting with Seconds Out.
During the brief exchange, the Irishman also claimed to be directly negotiating with President Donald Trump’s administration instead of the UFC.
“I’m not negotiating with the UFC on behalf of myself for this fight like usual,” McGregor said. “I am negotiating with the United States of America on behalf of Ireland for this fight.
“So it is a peculiar one. But Trump, the administration have been fully supportive and backing and I cannot wait to put on a show,” he added.