jon jones was never a possibility for the June 14 White House card, and Dana White made that clear in blunt terms. The UFC president said Jones was "completely unreliable," shutting down the idea that the former champion was in line for the event.
"Jon Jones is completely unreliable. As much as Jon talks, Jon was not a possibility on the White House card," White said in an interview with WFAN Sports Radio. That leaves Jones outside the June 14 lineup after he had said he wanted to be part of the card and claimed he was in negotiations to fight at the White House.
Dana White shuts door on Jones
White said Jones’ name was never in the mix regarding the White House card, and he said he asked the matchmakers to present every possible matchup on the table after reaching out to the fighters. His comments did not leave room for a late shift on June 14.
The denial lands after Jones said he was lowballed by the UFC brass once his name was not on the bout list. He also said he received stem cell treatment for his hip arthritis and was going to start training camp.
Jones weighs future plans
Jones has also teased retirement, while saying anything can happen in the future. At the same time, he is focusing on preparing his protégé, Gable Steveson, for his debut during International Fight Week.
The friction between the two sides is sharper than a simple roster dispute. White believes Jones is done fighting and said hip arthritis has put the final nail in the coffin and forced him to hang up the gloves, while Jones asked the UFC to release him if they think he is done.
For now, the immediate result is simple: Jones is out of the June 14 White House card picture, and White has publicly framed his future as one that may already be over. The event moves forward without him, and Jones now faces a fight over whether there is still a path back at all.
