Jon Jones isn’t finished yet. The former UFC heavyweight champion has set his sights on a historic return, aiming to headline the UFC’s first-ever card at the White House in 2026. Jones revealed his target is whoever is holding the belt when the Octagon touches down on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Jones made waves when he suddenly announced his retirement earlier this year after prolonged contract talks surrounding a fight with current champion Tom Aspinall. That retirement didn’t last long. As soon as former President Donald Trump revealed plans to host a UFC event at the White House for America’s 250th celebration, Jones jumped back in. He re-enrolled in the UFC’s anti-doping program and made it clear he wants gold again.
“I would want to take on whoever is holding the belt at the end of the year,” Jones told TikToker Joy of Everything. “As of right now, the champion is Tom Aspinall, but we’ll see who the champion is at the end of the year. I feel like to have an American fight for a championship that night, I would put it all on the line… right now, I’m just trying to be a good citizen.”
The UFC promoted Aspinall to undisputed champion after Jones stepped away. The British star has reportedly been booked for a fight later this year, with Ciryl Gane emerging as the likely opponent. If that bout materializes, the winner may face a resurgent Jon Jones next.
Jones previously dismantled Gane in under three minutes to win the vacant heavyweight title in 2023. Aspinall has since campaigned for a showdown with Jones, dating back to when he first held the interim title. But if history is anything to go by, chasing a fight with Jon Jones doesn’t always end the way opponents expect.
“I can’t promise anything, but I have a very strong feeling that I’ll be on that card,” Jones said. “I think it’s going to be incredibly iconic. It will be historic. In my opinion, it will be just as big as the Thrilla in Manila, Rumble in the Jungle… it’s up there with that. It could be even bigger.”
For all the speculation around Volkov vs. Almeida, and Aspinall vs. Gane, Jones has once again made himself part of the heavyweight title conversation. And when Jon Jones wants back in, the game changes. Jones headlining that night against the reigning champion would turn it into a spectacle on par with the greatest nights in combat sports history.
