Jon Jones and Conor McGregor left the UFC’s White House card

LAS VEGAS — The unveiling of the upcoming UFC event at the White House — dubbed UFC Freedom Fights 250 — was missing two prominent names who have lobbied to compete: Jon Jones and Conor McGregor.

McGregor was hoping to face Michael Chandler while Jones was seeking to face two-division champion Alex Pereira. Both Chandler and Pereira are on the card, but against different opponents as Chandler faces Mauricio Ruffy and Pereira in an interim heavyweight title fight against Cyril Jean.

UFC CEO Dana White addressed the absence of both fighters with the media after UFC 326.

Although Whyte has repeatedly shot down the idea of ​​Jones appearing on the card, the former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion suggested last week that he was in negotiations to fight on the card.

“The Jon Jones thing is bullshit—,” White said. “I’m not saying they didn’t talk to Jon Jones and that Jon Jones wasn’t interested in the fight. What’s even crazier is Jon Jones came out and said, ‘I’m in negotiations right now for the White House ticket,’ after I had already texted his lawyer saying, ‘It’s never going to happen.'”

White went so far as to say that Jones is still retired and there is no possibility of fighting at the White House or any other UFC event in the future.

“I’ve never — and I’ve told you guys 100,000 times — ever had Jon Jones even remotely fight in the White House,” White said. “He has arthritis in his hips. Apparently the doctors said he needs a hip replacement.”

As for McGregor, White has not closed the door on McGregor’s return. Instead, he reported that there were ongoing talks with the Irish star to return to the octagon, but the White House was unsuccessful.

“We’re definitely talking to Connor,” White said.

But when asked about a possible timetable for his anticipated return, White said they were “not even close” to identifying an event for him to compete in.

McGregor has not fought in over five years while Jones last fought against Stipe Miocic in November 2024.