UFC star Kamaru Usman has publicly aligned himself with Dana White concerning the controversial fighter Jon Jones. Usman`s support comes amidst discussions about Jones` potential participation in the highly anticipated UFC event at the White House in 2026.
The proposed 2026 UFC event at the White House continues to be a hot topic, with many prominent fighters eagerly campaigning for a spot at this unique national celebration.
Jon Jones, the former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, has been particularly vocal about his desire to compete in Washington D.C. Although he announced his retirement last summer, the news of the White House event immediately piqued Jones` interest, prompting him to declare a comeback.
However, it appears the controversial Rochester native is not currently a preferred choice for the UFC. Dana White has publicly rejected Jones` requests, citing the legendary fighter’s historical unreliability as a key factor in his decision.
Kamaru Usman Endorses Dana White`s Position on Jon Jones
The UFC CEO’s firm stance has led to a split among fans and fellow fighters. While many have supported White`s decision, Henry Cejudo, for instance, has predicted that White will eventually “cave in” to Jones.
If White, however, maintains his current position, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who co-hosts the Pound 4 Pound podcast, believes Jones will have only himself to blame.
Discussing the potential lineup for the White House event, Usman remarked, “You’ve got Jon Jones. He wants to come back and do it. Listen, I would love that for Jon Jones. But Jon, you can’t play with the game the way he’s played with the game and expect Dana to still trust you and let you back in to do this. You can’t play with the game like that.”
Jones was reportedly scheduled to unify the UFC heavyweight titles against Tom Aspinall this year but unexpectedly withdrew. This incident is believed to be the latest in a series of events that have eroded White`s trust in the 38-year-old fighter.
Conor McGregor Advocates for Jon Jones` Inclusion
Interestingly, Conor McGregor, one of the fighters widely expected to headline the prestigious event, holds a different opinion than the UFC boss.
McGregor aims to make his return to action at the UFC White House event after a four-year absence. Although it seems improbable that both he and ‘Bones’ would compete on the same card, McGregor suggested during an interaction with Seconds Out that White should allow Jones to fight.
During the brief discussion, the Irishman also claimed to be negotiating directly with President Donald Trump’s administration for his participation, rather than through the UFC.
McGregor stated, “I’m not negotiating with the UFC on behalf of myself for this fight like usual. I am negotiating with the United States of America on behalf of Ireland for this fight. So it is a peculiar one. But Trump, the administration have been fully supportive and backing and I cannot wait to put on a show.”
