John Jones vs Dana White? Who will flash first?
Ask former two-division champion Henry Sejude, who ultimately succumbed to Jones’ demands to compete at the UFC White House event, is the UFC CEO, which is set to take place in June 2026 ahead of America’s 250th Independence Day celebration. Also, Jones, a former two-division champion and arguably the biggest fighter in UFC history, retired this June, but reversed the course shortly after President Donald Trump announced his intention to hold a UFC show on the White House lawn.
White says he “is a billion-one chance” to book Jones for the event, citing Jones’ salient history of legal issues and drug test failures. However, Cejudo believes it’s only a matter of time before Jones and White go on the same page.
“President Dana White will enter the cave,” Sejude said. 4 pounds Podcast. “He’s trying to give John Jones the opportunity.
“John Jones, he’s a bit wildcard so I understand Dana White’s points too. Shit can happen. Obviously, I’ll say a lot of his legal records as well. And I love John, but let’s tell you the facts.”
At the moment, booking fighters for events is strictly theoretical, as the early planning stage of the UFC White House focuses on logistics, budget, security, and many other practical considerations. Jones is one of several notable names wearing a hat in a proverb ring, and Conor McGregor also swears to be part of the lineup.
Cejudo and podcast co-host Kamaru Usman agree that Jones needs a lot to return to White’s good bounty, especially if it could lead to the headlines of historic sporting events.
In addition to the well-documented issues of Jones’ out-of-cage issues, Usman believes Jones is choosing to retire, rather than fighting Tom Aspinoll in a unified heavyweight championship match despite being offered a critical payday.
“John Jones loves it, but John, you can’t play in the game the way he played in the game, and you can’t expect Dana to go back and do this with you trusting you,” Usman said. “You can’t play that kind of game.
“But if Dana is entertaining it, if he gets John back, I think this is incredible for him.”
“This will be the main event,” Sejude said Jones could face Aspinel. “America vs. Britain, we’re bringing this shit back to 1776. I believe John Jones will take Tom Aspinel in the first championship round.
“This should be the main event. Everything else should go crazy.”
Jones reportedly rejected a $30 million offer to fight aspinol earlier. This is eye-opening that helps to strengthen the argument that he is “ducking” his fight with Aspinel.
Even if Jones could persuade White to take him to the White House, Sejude thinks there’s no chance that yesterday’s prices would be the same today.
“This is where (Jones) f* came out,” Sejude said. “In business, you can’t do that. You can’t. He’ll probably be paid in half. Maybe they’ll even say $10 million compared to what they were actually trying to give him to Tom ($30 million).”