UFC President Dana White has shifted his position on scheduling a fight between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira at the White House. After initially dismissing the possibility due to concerns about Jones’s recent retirement and off-ring issues, White is now open to the matchup, provided certain conditions are met. Jones remains hopeful about earning a place on the White House fight card, which is set for June on the White House lawn.
Jones’s Changing Status and the White House Fight Plans
Jon Jones, who announced his retirement last summer during contract talks for a bout with Tom Aspinall, quickly rescinded it following the UFC’s announcement of the White House event. White initially expressed doubt about trusting Jones to participate, citing his unexpected retirement and prior legal troubles. The UFC leadership expects to finalize the lineup for the June event by spring, allowing fighters ample time to prepare.
Jones, once the dominant light heavyweight champion known for victories over fighters such as Daniel Cormier, Lyoto Machida, and Rampage Jackson, recently captured the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 285. His potential rematch against Alex Pereira has sparked interest given Pereira’s rise and recent capture of the light heavyweight belt at UFC 320.
White Sets Conditions for Possible Jones-Pereira Fight
In an interview with Complex, Dana White hinted that a fight between Jones and Pereira at 205 pounds would be compelling but questioned whether Jones could be relied upon.
“At 205? That would be a fight, but can I count on Jon Jones?”
Dana White said.
“I can’t have Jon Jones doing something bad or pulling out of the f—– White House fight.”
Dana White added.
Jones’s willingness to drop back to the light heavyweight class remains uncertain, as Pereira has expressed openness to moving up to heavyweight after reclaiming his title by knocking out Magomed Ankalaev last October. The potential clash could create significant anticipation given the fighters’ status and history.
The Stakes and What Lies Ahead
The possibility of Jon Jones facing Alex Pereira at the White House event carries notable weight for the UFC. It represents both a chance to feature two of the sport’s most captivating fighters in a high-profile setting and to resolve lingering questions about Jones’s future in the division. With UFC matchmakers working to finalize the June card, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this matchup comes to fruition and how it might influence the heavyweight and light heavyweight landscapes going forward.
