UFC CEO Dana White has shut down Jon Jones’ call for a fight with Alex Pereira, making it clear there’s “no f–king way” that matchup happens. Speaking after Jones defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, White pointed to the size difference, saying Jones is simply “too big” for Pereira at this stage of his career. While fans continue to dream of money fights, including a clash with current heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall, Jones has shown little interest. And with White’s firm stance, the idea of Jones facing Pereira, even on a blockbuster White House card, looks off the table.

When Dana White sat down with The W.A.D.E. Concept for the first time, he made headlines by revealing his desire for Conor McGregor to headline the long-rumored UFC White House card. He also fired back at Eddie Hearn’s comments about being the better promoter. During the interview, the host pressed him on Jon Jones, asking, “What does Jon Jones have to do to get on the White House card?”

White clearly wasn’t convinced by Jones’ current training push. “Jon Jones doesn’t have to train five days a week now. The fight is not until next, you know,” he said, downplaying the idea that Jones’ preparation alone could secure him a spot.

The UFC CEO then stressed reliability as the biggest factor. “I need people on these cards that I can count on… I am not saying to Jon Jones, and I respect the fact that he is pushing this hard, but Jon Jones, and I just had a deal that he pulled out of. So he is not on the top of my list, even though I say it all the time, he is the greatest of all time.”

White further admitted that while Jon Jones may be the GOAT, he isn’t someone he can fully trust. “He is not the greatest of all time guy you can count on, you know, 400% is going to be solid and be there,” he said. Instead, White made it clear that McGregor remains the centerpiece of his plans, praising his reliability when the stakes are highest.

“Say what you want about Conor McGregor… but he is that guy,” White said. He added that behind the scenes, McGregor has always stepped up when it mattered most. Dana White has even expressed openness to bringing back stars like Ronda Rousey or Chuck Liddell, but Jon Jones remains a different story. With multiple run-ins with the law and failed drug tests in his past, White admitted it’s hard to fully trust him. Still, for Jon Jones, there may be just one way to climb back into White’s good graces and regain his trust. What is it, you ask?

Jon Jones must earn back Dana White’s trust

In his latest YouTube video, Jon Jones’ former opponent said: “I am not a hater on Jon Jones wanting to participate in a sport that he’s been part of his entire professional life. I just don’t know what it means when he says, ‘I’m willing to show and prove to Dana White that I want that opportunity.’ … I think it’s incumbent that something happen prior to that event.”

Chael Sonnen went on to give an example, suggesting Jon Jones should tell White: “Dana, I will fight Derrick Lewis. It won’t be a title fight, so it probably won’t even be a main event fight. And I’m not going to skin you for pay-per-view points or ask for any exceptions. We’re going to look right at my contract. I’m going to give you three rounds as opposed to the five that I’m usually giving you. I’m going to take one step down on the card, which is demoting myself and showing my humility. And believe it or not, I’m going to do something really unusual, I’m going to honor the contract that I have.”

The strategy highlights reliability, respect for contractual obligations, and a willingness to sacrifice personal benefits for the bigger picture. Bones, for his part, has maintained that he’s putting in the work to make his case. Speaking to USA TODAY Sports at the MTV Video Music Awards, he said it was his goal to show Dana White how serious he was about the event. That said, do you want to see Jon Jones fighting in the White House card?