Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Dana White Says Jon Jones Apologized but Still Off UFC White House Card – Conor McGregor Gets the Nod

Jon Jones apologizes; Dana White trusts McGregor for White House card.

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Jones has apologized to UFC president Dana White in hopes of securing a spot on the UFC’s historic White House card, now slated for June 2026. White revealed that the former two-weight champion sent him a text, expressing regret over how things had unfolded and making clear he still wants to fight. But the UFC boss made it clear the apology wasn’t enough, stressing that dependability matters more than reputation.

🚨 Dana White reveals that Jon Jones reached out to him and apologized for how the Tom Aspinall situation played out, but says he still won't headline the UFC White House event

"I need people I can count on for this fight. I know who they are, I know who they are not." 😬

🎥… pic.twitter.com/U6UBim6RWs
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 12, 2025

White Stands Firm on Jones, Praises McGregor’s Dependability

“It wasn’t a conversation,” White told Zach Gelb on Sirius XM. “He reached out, he wrote, like, a text saying ‘listen, sorry how this all played out’ or whatever. ‘I want to fight at the White House, I’m serious about that’.”

When asked if the message altered his view, White was blunt: “No. I appreciate it; I appreciate him reaching out and doing that. But I need people I can count on for this fight. I know who they are and I know who they are not.”

Jones, who had verbally agreed to face Tom Aspinall earlier this year before announcing a short-lived retirement in June, has since resumed training after President Donald Trump confirmed the UFC’s octagon would be set up on the White House lawn. Despite his record of 28-1-1, capped by a TKO of Stipe Miocic in November 2024, White questioned his dependability.

🚨 Dana White confirms reports that the UFC White House event will take place in June 2026

"The president wanted to do it July 4th. The president didn't realize how stacked his schedule is on July 4th."

🎥 @ZachGelb pic.twitter.com/UFTXVuEdVf
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 12, 2025

“[Jon Jones] is the greatest of all time; I still know that to be a fact,” White admitted. “But what he’s not the greatest at is delivering. He’s not the clutch guy who’s gonna be there.”

By contrast, White signaled confidence in Conor McGregor, even though the Irishman canceled his most recent fight and has not competed in four years. “Say what you want about Conor McGregor because people like to talk s— about that too, but he is that guy,” White said. “He’s always been that guy; I’ve been in the room and on the phone with him. When the s— hits the fan, who’s really willing to go out there? Conor McGregor has always been that guy.”

Dana White would trust Conor McGregor to headline the #UFCWhiteHouse card over Jon Jones https://t.co/6em8SfnkI8 pic.twitter.com/Y2M27vIJvq
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) September 12, 2025

The White House UFC card will be the first of its kind and is highly anticipated among fans. Whether Jones ultimately convinces White remains uncertain, but for now, the UFC president appears unwilling to gamble on the star’s availability.

Mandatory Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Conor McGregor

Dana White

Jon Jones

June 2026

UFC

White House Card

Rudra Dubey

nfl

mma

I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.