UFC Legend Presents Conditions How Jon Jones Can Earn 2026 White House Card Spot

Ex-UFC Heavyweight Jon Jones desperately wants to make his return count and the “America 250” White House UFC card next year is the biggest possible option. While Jones didn’t want any part of a UFC title unifier against the ‘new best guy for now,’ Tom Aspinall, a South Lawn mega card is a whole other matter.

‘Bones’ has era-defining longevity and a historic number of title wins, setting him apart as an all-time great. Hence, he didn’t consider next-best, Tom Aspinall, to be good for his legacy, as per Jones, there’s no guarantee he’d keep getting good fighters for defenses that’d matter to his legacy.

Hence, Jones took an abrupt U-Turn in what UFC CEO Dana White says was a done deal to face the UK native, set on a $30 Mil payday. Jon Jones recanted his June retirement in just two weeks and entered the drug testing pool to fight at the South Lawn. However, the UFC boss finds him a less reliable option now, due to his year-long antics.

Former Jones-rival and title challenger, and now analyst, Chael Sonnen, thinks Jones is just a fight away from changing the UFC execs and bosses’ minds.

Nothing would trump Jon getting in there and fighting. ‘I want [in] on the White House card, [and to do that] so I’m willing to fight in Vancouver in February, I’ll work my way up; I’ll prove myself…[prove] I’m number one contender’…

Chael Sonnen on his YT Channel

Jones is not an American staple holding a championship belt, but he’s more than in the running to star in such a mega card. Not that long ago, bossman White himself said Jones versus Aspinall was his go-to dream headliner for the event.

White has said the UFC’s big 4th of July celebrations are to have swanky setups and high-priced VIP packages for ‘under 5000’ people. So, star power is to be a big thing going into this once-in-a-lifetime fight card. Other fighters are also on a hard-pressed campaign to get some of their shine back at such an event of global import. Former UFC 205lbs champ Alex Pereira has lost his belt; Conor McGregor is long MIA, along with Jones.

Per BetOnline.ag, many of those names did not prop up as early betting faves for the White House card. Other American staples also do not hold on to their belt and for the 265 class itself, it can undergo some changes after the upcoming UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane PPV event. Bones has had only two fights at the 265-pound division in past 5 years and if he were to prove he’s willing to get back on top, he might just get back into good graces.

Champion Tom Aspinall snubbed as toughest challenge for ‘Bones’ in presumed White House card

POTUS Donald Trump raised the bar with the news of the “America 250” White House mega card and those like Bones returned to the fold for it. While the former interim and now undisputed HW Champ Tom Aspinall is a big available option that many want to see, a Jon Jones vs. Aspinall fight still seems far off.

There are two sides to that; the first is that Aspinall might prove a stiff test for Jon Jones and that is precisely why he doesn’t want to risk it over a single name, not knowing what defenses lie ahead. To that end, back in July, another big option, a more “winnable” option, was poised to make Jones’ return on such a card.

You, you put on Jones in some type of title fight if he was gonna [return at all]….and fight Tom Aspinall…I don’t think that happens with Aspinall. What I think is, if the opportunity for Jon Jones to realistically come back — he says, ‘Dana, I want to come back on this card,’ I think he looks for a fight with a guy like Alex Pereira…[Cause] I think Tom Aspinall is biggest, baddest man on the planet [265] but not Pereira…I think he runs through Jon Jones right now…

Alan Jouban on UFC Q3 preview with Alan Jouban | ‘The Bohnfire’ W/ MMAJunkies’ Mike Bohn

Former champ Poatan has had clear wrestling holes in his game but solid standup power, making it more winnable than Aspinall, who has trained in BJJ since before 10. On another front, Sonnen has presented that a 265-pound showdown with Curtis Blaydes would be the stiffest test for Jones. The duo has the same collegiate junior wrestling achievement, one weight class apart.