05-07-2025
Jon Jones makes shock retirement U-turn as UFC legend eyes Donald Trump White House card as potential return
UFC legend Jon Jones has made a shocking U-turn on his retirement from mixed martial arts, saying he has re-entering the company's testing pool to keep his 'options open'.
Jones' assertion through social media comes a day after President Donald Trump announced he wanted a UFC card on the White House lawn during America's 250th birthday next July.
Last month, UFC President Dana White announced Jones would not defend his heavyweight championship and was retired.
Now, Jones' statement, with it remaining to be seen whether he's even telling the truth about that, does give him one huge step towards a UFC comeback if he wanted.
Daily Mail has reached out to the UFC about Jones' status in the testing pool and with the company.
'Fighting at the White House?' Jones posted on X. 'Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted for about two weeks. Figured we'd keep everyone's options open.'
After Trump made the announcement, one fan tried offered up his dream matchup at the White House: ''I wish it would be [Jon] Jones and [Tom] Aspinall. Hopefully, they can talk him out of retirement. That would be the biggest fight in UFC history.'
Jones is considered the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, if not one of the most talented mixed martial artists of all-time.
The legend was never properly defeated in his career, as the two fights not counted as wins on his record are a disqualification loss, due to an illegal strike in 2009, and a no-contest, which was originally a Jones knockout of fellow UFC legend Daniel Cormier.
The 250th birthday of America will fall on a Saturday, which coincides with the day of the week most major UFC events are held.
White has been a staunch supporter of Trump, hosting him at several UFC events over the last year. White also spoke on stage in Florida as part of Trump's acceptance speech after winning the Presidential election over Kamala Harris in November.
Last year at UFC 309, moments after Jones' last victory, a knockout of Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden, he danced like Trump in the middle of the cage, much to the then-President elect's amusement.
Jones and Trump shared a moment together feet from the Octagon with both holding the championship belt.
