Jon Jones, Conor McGregor UFC White House Snubs Explained by Dana White

On the heels of Saturday's announcement of the fight card for the UFC show at the White House this summer, Dana White explained the absence of two of the promotion's biggest stars, Jon Jones and Conor McGregor, from the event.

Speaking to reporters after UFC 326, White said that Jones "even remotely in my mind" to be part of the event.

"The Jon Jones thing is bulls--t. I'm not saying they weren't talking to Jon Jones and that Jon Jones wasn't interested in the fight. What was even crazier was Jon Jones came out and was like, 'I'm in negotiations right now for the White House card,' after I had already sent a text to his lawyer saying, 'Never going to happen ever.'"

White added that Jones' doctors have said he "needs a hip replacement." Jones announced his retirement from competition last June, resulting in Tom Aspinall being named heavyweight champion.

As for McGregor, White did say the two sides are "definitely talking" but UFC is "not even close" to pinning down a date for him to fight again.

Jones kept his fighting options open by revealing two weeks after his retirement announcement that he re-entered the UFC drug-testing pool.

Both Jones and McGregor were frequently lobbying in public to be part of the UFC White House card after it was announced an event would take place in Washington D.C.

One thing White emphasized as he was still putting the card together was that he needed fighters he could rely on given the high-profile nature of this show. Jones, in particular, has been such an enigma throughout his career that it's hard to know what to expect from him.

White has said he hasn't had any issues being able to depend on McGregor. It just doesn't sound like there is anything close for him to get back in the octagon for the first time since July 2021.

Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout will headline the June 14 show that is being dubbed UFC Freedom 250. The co-main event match between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will be for the interim heavyweight title.