Jon Jones shows true colors with response to Dana | Sports News

Jon Jones retired for 13 days, and then President Donald Trump spoke earlier than Independence Day, inspiring the UFC GOAT’s return. But simply because Jones is formally back doesn’t suggest he’ll routinely obtain the honour of preventing on the White House.

President Trump teased plans to host a UFC struggle card on the White House garden for subsequent 12 months’s July 4th Patriot Games festivities. The second got here during a rally on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the place Trump additionally launched the new nationally televised sports activities competitors for prime high faculty athletes throughout all 50 states.

While Jones was instantly impressed to rejoin the game, UFC president Dana White sounded much less than thrilled about inserting Jones in such a distinguished place.

“I can’t risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong,” White stated. Jones clapped back online the next day.

“I heard the comments made at last night’s press conference. While I was a little disappointed, I’m still in the UFC’s drug testing pool, staying sharp, and continuing to train like a professional. I’ll be ready for whatever comes next,” Jones wrote in a prolonged assertion.

“In a recent interview, I shared that the opportunity to fight at the White House gave me something deeper to fight for—a ‘why’ that goes beyond paychecks or belts. Fighting for my country gives me a greater purpose!” Jones completed his assertion by reminding everybody of what’s at all times fueled his drive.

“The silver lining is knowing the fans see my heart. They see I am ready and willing to take on anyone, to represent my country on a historic stage. For me, it’s never been just about the opponent. I’m chasing legacy, something timeless, something bigger than the moment. So for now, I’ll keep grinding, stay patient, and stay faithful. I’m ready to fight on July 4th.”

White acknowledged that the concept of having a UFC Octagon on the White House garden is so new that it’s miles from a polished actuality. He listed a number of logistical challenges, together with whether or not the garden may assist the 20,000-pound construction.

DON’T MISS

With Jones retiring, Aspinall went from interim to official heavyweight champion. UFC followers and White hope Jones’ return struggle shall be a long-teased “title unification bout,” assuming White permits Jones to struggle on the cardboard.

When requested during a current dialog concerning the UFC’s most harmful fighters, White rapidly named BMF champion Max Holloway, who simply defeated Dustin Poirier during the latter’s retirement struggle at UFC 318 on Sunday.

Holloway has headlined 10 UFC playing cards all through his profession, has had 31 fights within the group, and has by no means missed weight or pulled out of a single card. Jones has failed drug exams that affected occasions 200, 214, and 232. The historic occasion 200 was initially meant to showcase a heavyweight championship match between Jones and Daniel Cormier.

Due to Jones’s testing optimistic for 2 forbidden substances, an growing older former Middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, stepped in to substitute him for that occasion.