Jon Jones, after briefly retiring from MMA, has re-entered the UFC’s drug-testing pool and is considering a comeback motivated by a potential fight at a special UFC event at the White House, while emphasizing his legacy as a champion.
Jon Jones isn’t done with retirement—at least not anymore. After announcing his retirement in June and vacating the heavyweight title, Jones quickly reversed course. Why? A special UFC event at the White House on July 4, 2026, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, caught his attention.
President Donald Trump made the announcement, sparking a flurry of interest from fighters. Jones was among them, diving back into the UFC’s drug-testing pool. His motivation? The allure of fighting at the White House was just too tempting.
On social media, Jones shared his thoughts. A bout at the White House was the spark he needed, something he couldn’t find in a match with Tom Aspinall. “Donald made his announcement on the morning of the Fourth of July, I called the UFC headquarters that very same afternoon,” he said. “America! Now that tickles my pickle.”
Representing America at the White House became his new driving force. “I don’t care who I fight that night. I found my reason why,” Jones declared. It’s about more than money for him.
Some accused him of ducking Aspinall, but Jones dismissed it. “Choosing when to attack and where you want the battlefield to be is not ducking my friend,” he explained. Despite teasing a return, he admitted the future remains uncertain.
Jones reflected on the unpredictability of life. “Who knows what the future holds, but the moment I heard Donald Trump‘s announcement, I started training again,” he mused. Even if the fight doesn’t happen, Jones remains optimistic, seeing value in staying active.
As always, Jones didn’t shy away from self-praise. “As of today, I was the last American champion,” he reminded everyone. “When kids do homework assignments about the greatest fighter in MMA history, they’ll be writing their report about an American.”
And with that, Jones leaves us pondering his legacy. “Just sit with that,” he concluded.