UFC 318: Dana White post-event interview
UFC CEO Dana White spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at the UFC 318 post-fight press conference and talked the top storylines from Saturday’s event in New Orleans.
Jon Jones was disappointed to hear Dana White show concern over booking him for the proposed UFC White House card.
The UFC CEO made it known that he isn’t sure he can trust the former heavyweight champion with headlining such a major event that could take place on the White House grounds on Independence Day in 2026.
At the UFC 318 post-event news conference, White said he isn’t sure Jones can be trusted not to get in trouble leading up to the event.
“It’s not even about him winning the belt,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “You know how I felt about him. You know I can’t risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong – especially the White House card.”
Jones has given the promotion multiple headaches throughout his career.
“Bones” refused to fight Chael Sonnen on short notice after Dan Henderson got injured, which prompted the cancellation of the entire UFC 151 card. Jones was stripped of the light heavyweight title ahead of UFC 187 after a hit-and-run accident. In the days ahead of UFC 200, Jones failed a pre-fight drug test, leading to his removal from the main event against Daniel Cormier on fight week. A year later, he made it to the cage to face Cormier, but later failed another drug test, causing his third-round stoppage to be overturned to a no contest.
White announced Jones’ intention to retire during a post-fight news conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Jones would confirm the news shortly after, but more headlines soon followed. Jones was allegedly involved in another hit-and-run accident, one in which he was suspected of driving under the influence, and fled the scene after a car crash, leaving a woman behind in the passenger seat. He also allegedly threatened the life of a responding officer over the phone.
The timing of everything has led many, including White, to publicly wonder if Jones’ latest legal issue is why he decided to retire and relinquish the heavyweight title to interim champion Tom Aspinall.
However, once president Donald Trump announced the idea of hosting a UFC event at the White House, Jones quickly changed his tune on fighting, stating his intention to return on that card. Initially, White seemed on board, stating his dream headliner for the event would be Jones vs. Aspinall.
White’s latest comments indicate hesitation to place Jones in such an important potential spot given his history, which prompted a reply on social media.
“I heard the comments made at last night’s press conference,” Jones wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “While I was a little disappointed, I’m still in the UFC’s drug testing pool, staying sharp, and continuing to train like a professional. I’ll be ready for whatever comes next.
“In a recent interview, I shared that the opportunity to fight at the White House gave me something deeper to fight for, a “why” that goes beyond paychecks or belts. Fighting for my country gives me a greater purpose!”
Jones continued, playing up how important it would be for him to further his legacy, despite seeming content with retirement before the idea of a White House event.
“The silver lining in all this is knowing the fans see my heart,” Jones wrote. “They see, I am ready and willing to take on anyone, to represent my country on a historic stage. For me, it’s never been just about the opponent. I’m chasing legacy, something timeless, something bigger than the moment.
“So for now, I’ll keep grinding, stay patient, and stay faithful. I’m ready to fight on July 4th. #IndependenceDay”
