Jon Jones hints at comeback, regrets missing White House event

Former UFC heavyweight champion says on social media 'the possibility is open'

Jones wanted to fight at June event but was blocked by Dana White

Jon Jones (left) shakes hands with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson backstage at an event on May 16 (local time). [Getty Images]

Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones (39, United States) has hinted at reversing his retirement while expressing deep regret over missing the White House event — a card he had strongly wanted to compete on but was blocked from by UFC CEO Dana White.

Jones recently responded to a fan on social media asking about a potential return. "It's more likely that I won't fight again, but I'm still undergoing doping tests," he said. "I'm keeping the possibility open. Nobody knows what the future holds." He stopped short of announcing an imminent comeback but left the door open for a return to competition.

In a separate interview with combat sports outlet The Schmo, Jones opened up about his frustration at being left off the UFC's White House event held in June.

"The day of the White House event was one of the few moments where I felt I should have been there," he said. "I don't usually regret my decisions, but not being able to participate in the White House event is one of the biggest regrets of my life."

Jones had not voluntarily stepped aside — the UFC kept him off the card. After announcing his retirement in June 2025, he repeatedly expressed a desire to return once the White House event was announced, and had sought a bout against former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

UFC CEO Dana White, who blocked Jon Jones from competing at the June White House event. [Getty Images]

White stood firm on his refusal to put Jones on the card, citing trust concerns stemming from Jones's past conduct and his chronic hip injury.

White said he had never considered Jones a candidate for the White House event from the outset. Jones pushed back, saying negotiations with the UFC had in fact taken place — leaving the two sides with conflicting accounts.

Ultimately, the fight Jones wanted — a matchup with Pereira — did not materialize at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Instead, Pereira faced Ciryl Gane in an interim heavyweight title bout.

Jones has not competed since defending his heavyweight title with a third-round TKO of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024. He claimed the heavyweight championship in 2023 by submitting Ciryl Gane and had previously made 11 successful title defenses at light heavyweight.

Jones was relatively composed when reflecting on the possibility that the Miocic fight may have been his last. "I really do think that was my last moment in the octagon," he said. "Even if I never fight again, I'm quite satisfied with my career up to this point."

yjc@heraldcorp.com