Jon Jones might be back in the testing pool, but not everyone is buying it. Just weeks ago, the former UFC heavyweight kingpin stunned fans by seemingly ending his career. After stalling the division for nearly 600 days, ‘Bones’ announced at a Baku press conference that, at 37, he was “done.” Unsurprisingly, fans erupted—not just at Jones, but also at Dana White and the UFC—for delaying Tom Aspinall’s title shot and letting Jones hold the interim belt since late 2023.

Then, just two weeks later, Jon Jones flipped the script by declaring his return at 37, shortly after President Donald Trump revealed that UFC would host a White House event in 2026. The New Mexican immediately showed interest in fighting on the historic card, however, Dana White quickly shut down the idea, highlighting that Jones had already betrayed the promotion once before.

Chael Sonnen questions UFC star Jon Jones’ return plans

Dana White appears reluctant to put the highly anticipated UFC White House card at “risk” by including Jon Jones, given the fighter’s controversial reputation and history of not always following through on his commitments. Nevertheless, ‘Bones’ remains determined and “optimistic” about appearing on the card, leaving the ultimate decision in the hands of White and the UFC.

Amid the uncertainty, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen recently addressed Jones’ comeback on his YouTube channel, questioning why the UFC hasn’t added Jones to the official rankings even though he is back in the testing pool. “I haven’t been able to explain that piece to you yet…If Jon Jones is, in fact, in the pool and his name could come up at any point, why is he not ranked? If you believe that Jon is in the pool, that he is eligible, and that he’s just as hungry as he always was, do you truly believe that these ten guys can all beat him?”

Sonnen raised the question specifically in the context of Jon Jones potentially facing the current top 10 ranked heavyweights in the division. Currently, Tom Aspinall leads the UFC heavyweight scene and is preparing to defend his first title next month at UFC 321. Meanwhile, Dana White must decide Jones’ uncertain future on the UFC White House card. In the meantime, White has chosen Conor McGregor as his top pick to headline next year’s July 4 event. “He’s always been that guy… Conor McGregor has always been that guy,” Dana White confirmed.

Michael Bisping supports Dana White’s stance on Jon Jones

The UFC is gearing up for its landmark White House event, and Dana White isn’t holding back. He’s promising fans it will be “bigger than any sports event ever,” even eclipsing the Super Bowl and the World Cup. For the first time in history, politics and sports will collide on the South Lawn, and a roster of top American and international fighters are vying for a spot. But there’s a catch.

While White has said a Jones vs. Tom Aspinall heavyweight showdown would be the dream fight for the card, trust in Jon jones has frayed. The former champion recently offered an explanation for leaving the promotion and apologized for stalling the division—but White isn’t budging. Michael Bisping backs him. “You can’t blame the man,” Bisping says, reinforcing White’s cautious stance on Jones. White confirmed that Jones apologized for holding up the UFC heavyweight division, yet the gesture hasn’t shifted his decision. Bisping echoed the sentiment, calling out Jones’ actions and the consequences for the fighters left waiting.

He added, “You can’t blame Dana because he promoted Jones, but in the end, he refused to fight Tom Aspinall and flew to Thailand. “I don’t blame him,” Bisping said of White. “You can’t blame the man. What did he do? He promoted him. He stuck to his guns. This is the pound-for-pound No. 1.’They even put that video package out. They gave him the $30 million apparently (to fight Aspinall). I don’t know if that’s true, but apparently that’s the number that’s floating around.“

 Does Jon Jones still deserve a spot on the UFC White House card in 2026, or should White hold firm and protect the integrity of the event? Fans and fighters alike are watching closely as the clock ticks down. Where do you stand? Should ‘Bones’ get his shot, or is it time for White to draw the line? Sound off below.