July 29, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Jon Jones lands a hit against Daniel Cormier during UFC 214 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Daniel Cormier Stands Up For Jon Jones Amid Fierce Controversy Over UFC White House Card

July 29, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Jon Jones lands a hit against Daniel Cormier during UFC 214 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones have one of the most heated rivalries in UFC history. These two couldn’t stand each other for years, trading insults and throwing punches both inside and outside the octagon. Their bad blood ran so deep that they once got into a massive brawl at a press conference that became legendary among fight fans. So when Daniel Cormier stands up for Jon Jones, fans know something big is happening.

The UFC is planning something that’s never been done before; a fight card at the White House in June 2026. It’s the kind of event that Dana White calls the biggest in company history, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that claim. The card potentially has Conor McGregor facing Michael Chandler, which would be huge on any regular night. But fighting at the White House is next level!

Why Jon Jones Wants In But Dana White Says No

Jon Jones really wants to fight on this historic card. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that no fighter will ever get again. The problem is that Dana White isn’t having it. The UFC boss has made it pretty clear that he doesn’t trust Jones to show up when it matters most. And White has good reasons to worry.

Jones has been arrested multiple times, failed drug tests, and pulled out of fights at the last minute. White has been burned by Jones before, and he’s not eager to risk the biggest event in company history on a fighter who might not show up. He recently said that the odds of Jones fighting at the UFC White House Card are a “billion to one.”

Daniel Cormier Shows Support To Arch Rival

Daniel Cormier, the guy who used to hate Jones more than anyone, is now saying the UFC should let him fight. This is the same Cormier who got into that famous brawl with Jones, who accused him of being fake, and who lost two fights to him in controversial fashion. If anyone had a reason to want Jones kept off the biggest card ever, it would be DC.

But Cormier is thinking bigger than their personal beef. He’s looking at this from a practical standpoint and sees Jones as America’s best shot at winning on home turf. The former champion pointed out that there aren’t any American fighters in the current pound-for-pound rankings, and when you’re fighting at the White House, you want Americans who can actually win. It’s about national pride and putting on the best show possible for what might be the most watched UFC event in history.

“We have no American guys in the top 10 of the pound for pound since Jon Jones retired. That’s crazy. Come on boss (White). That is me asking you to give Jon Jones a chance. That’s crazy,” said Cornier via his YouTube channel.

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Daniel Cormier even came up with a smart solution to White’s concerns about Jones being unreliable. He suggested putting massive financial penalties in Jones’ contract, like a million dollar fine if he doesn’t show up or gets in legal trouble. He genuinely believes Jones brings something special to the table that’s worth the risk, even if it means swallowing his pride to admit it.

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Daniel Cormier

Jon Jones

UFC White House

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!