Dana White confirms Jon Jones is retired and was ‘never’ considered for UFC White House card

Dana White has acknowledged it’s ‘very fair’ to say Jon Jones is retired and will never fight in the UFC again.

Speaking after UFC 326, White denounced his former champion’s comments about being in negotiations to fight at the promotion’s White House show.

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“Never, ever, ever, which I told you guys a hundred thousand times, was Jon Jones even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House,” the UFC CEO said at the UFC 326 post-fight press conference.

Who’s fighting at UFC White House?

White revealed the full card for the historic UFC White House show on Saturday during UFC 326, before Charles Oliveira dominated Max Holloway to win the BMF title in the main event.

The card, officially billed as UFC Freedom 250: The White House, takes place on June 14 — US President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

Ilia Topuria defends his undisputed lightweight belt against Justin Gaethje in the main event, with Alex Pereira‘s interim heavyweight title clash against Ciryl Gane the chief support act.

Speculation over who may feature at the event had been building for months until the announcement.

Having repeatedly expressed his desire to fight at the celebratory event, Jon Jones was a hot favourite for months to feature.

When White then revealed during a PowerSlap event on Friday that one fight had been cancelled at the last minute, speculation led fans to believe that it was Jones who pulled out on short notice.

However, White has now revealed that it was someone else who withdrew and Jones was ‘never’ even considered to make an appearance.

Dana White blames Jon Jones for White House rumours

“No, it’s not,” White responded to speculation over Jones being the fighter who pulled out.

“First of all, I’ve told you why I wouldn’t do it, and number two, some guy with Meta glasses on filmed him talking about his hips, [saying] that his hips are so bad.

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“I don’t know if you guys saw that flag football game where he can barely run.

“Jon Jones is retired because of his hips. He’s got arthritis in his hips. Add that on top of all the other reasons that I wouldn’t.”

In early February, ‘Bones’ revealed he had been dealing with ‘severe arthritis’ for years after he was recorded having a private conversation at an event.

Jones admitted he wouldn’t let his injury issues get in the way of a potential White House appearance, later adding just a week out from the announcement that he was ‘in negotiations’ to fight.

But it seems the American’s comments were nothing more than a last-ditch attempt to change his boss’s mind.

“The Jon Jones thing is bulls***” White added.

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“I’m not saying they weren’t talking to Jon Jones and that Jon Jones wasn’t interested in the fight.

“What was even crazier is Jon Jones came out and said, ‘I’m in negotiations right now for the White House fight,’ after I had already sent a text to his lawyer saying, ‘Never gonna happen ever.’

White was then asked if it is ‘fair to say’ that Jones is officially retired and his UFC career is over.

“Yes. Very fair,” White responded.

White previously cited a lack of trust, among many other reasons, as to why he didn’t feel comfortable booking the 38-year-old for the event.

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.