Jon Jones is still adamant about his UFC return, targeting a comeback fight at the UFC White House card on July 4, 2026.

Retired as of June of this year, the legendary Jon Jones maintained that he is ‘not retired’ in a recent interview and that the former two-division champion is training five days a week for a chance to fight on the UFC’s White House card next June.

Jon Jones busted out the cowboy hat for the MTV Video Music Awards and shared some details of his future on the red carpet. Jones hasn’t fought since a November 2024 win over Stipe Miocic, and before that a March 2023 win over Ciryl Gane.

Jon Jones claims he is training for the UFC White House card despite Dana White shutting down his chances of competing in the event. The former dual-weight UFC champion hung up his gloves in June,

The former two-weight champion announced his retirement from MMA in June, killing what Dana White believed was an agreed-upon undisputed fight with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Just days later, Jon Jones made a retirement U-turn when the UFC announced they are planning to put on a show at the White House in 2026.

At Friday’s UFC 321 press conference, Aspinall made it clear that Gane is his sole focus. “Ciryl’s the guy I’m fighting, so he’s the biggest test right now,” Aspinall said. “Jon Jones is retired, so I don’t really have much to say on that, to be honest. I’m fighting this guy and this guy’s really good, so I’ll be as ready as I can be.”

Jon Jones, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is staying ready for a potential UFC fight at the White House, planned for July 4, 2026. On the VMA red carpet, Jones said he’s training five days a week and remains in the UFC’s drug testing pool.