Currently, all through this year, UFC brass would be working on one of their biggest mega cards yet. However, per UFC CEO Dana White, former roster fighter Jon Jones has very little chance of making that White House PPV lineup.
In the aftermath of disregarding Tom Aspinall and walking away from 7+ months of compensatory hassle and negotiations, Jon Jones doesn’t have a strong standing now. Dana White has said that, given that he walked away from a done deal, he is the least secure option for such a fight.
Recently, the UFC headman even gave ‘Bones’ billions to one odd that he’d make the White House lineup. Ex-UFC heavyweight turned analyst Brendan Schaub has an interesting theory about it all. He thinks that the bossman is using reverse psychology to pressure Bones into it.
With Dana, it’s never say never, so you’re telling me there’s a chance…I think this is Dana’s way through the media, challenging Jon like, ‘I bet you won’t do it’. Jon’s like, ‘You don’t think I can’? Dana’s going, ‘Absolutely not, in fact, one billion to one, dude’. …With Jones healthy, back in the testing pool, ready to go, no issues, by the time they’re booking that White House card, I will guarantee you he’s on that card.
Brendan Schaub on his Thiccc Boy (@ThicccBoy) Podcast
Many fans have already jibed that with close friend and POTUS Donald Trump demanding it, the UFC headman would easily fold. However, White has been very resolute in not trusting Jones for it. The Jackson Team’s Acoma MMA fighter recently entered the DFSI test pools again, in hopes of making this fight.
Jones himself has stayed optimistic despite the boss billing him with astronomical odds on it. Given he is healthy and has no reason to pull out, there is no logical avenue where and why he should not make that card. Jones is an American staple and also makes all the sense in the world for an America 250 Celebration card.
UFC co-creator bills new $7.7B Paramount+ deal frees them from being ‘held hostage’ by starpower like Jon Jones

The birth and early growth of the UFC was heavily influenced by Campbell McLaren, who co-created the promotion with Rorion Gracie, Art Davie, and Bob Meyrowitz, that Dana White would later take over.
McLaren played a pivotal exec role in many Zuffa-era WEC areas, from creating the idea for the UFC to assigning Joe Rogan mic time for doing post-fight interviews.
As the incumbent CEO of Combate Global, he recently expounded on the MMA leader’s nascent broadcast rights deal and its ramifications for some of the roster’s most prominent figures.
When discussing how the removal of PPVs might change the balance of power between fighters and the promotion, McLaren made some bold claims.
Many of you may disagree but the UFC moving away from PPV’s frees them from being held hostage from fighters like Jon Jones. Hostage. I know it seems like promotions have leverage but often the fighter has all the power. Your POV depends on what side of the fence you are on. pic.twitter.com/YptoRshNGa
— Campbell McLaren (@campbellcombate) August 19, 2025
Now that every one of the UFC’s cards will be available on Paramount+, stateside viewers will no longer have to pay premium prices for pay-per-view events. But the shackles of PPV sales have come off as well. All in all, it’s quite a shake-up for the promotion, starting in 2026.
ALSO READ: Jon Jones Return in Touble As Bossman Dana White States ‘Billion To One’ Odds For White House Fight