Jon Jones receives fresh support in his push to lead the UFC event at the White House. The former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion campaigns harder than any other fighter for the June 14 main-event spot in Washington D.C. Dana White announced Jones’ retirement shortly before President Donald Trump presented plans for UFC fights on the White House lawn in 2026. The announcement triggered an immediate reversal from Jones, who claimed the headline slot alongside superstar Conor McGregor. White rejected Jones and called him too unreliable for such a historic moment. Now a dominant champion demands that White reconsider.
Merab Dvalishvili Backs Jones for the White House Spotlight
Merab Dvalishvili would rank near the top if the UFC chose its main-event star strictly by merit. The bantamweight champion from Georgia delivers an exceptional season with three successful title defenses. His fourth defense arrives next Saturday when he meets Petr Yan at UFC 323. Despite his achievements, he believes other American fighters deserve the prestigious spot more than he does. He argues that Jon Jones stands above the rest. Dvalishvili spoke about the event during an interview with Stake. He said the honor would mean a lot to him. He also emphasized his Georgian roots. He explained that many American fighters aim for the headline role. He added that fighters like Jon Jones deserve it most.
Dvalishvili Shows Humility Again and Accepts a Prelim Spot
Fans already admire Dvalishvili for his humility. He often ranks other fighters above himself in pound-for-pound debates. He showed the same attitude when reporters asked about the White House event. He spoke during a media scrum before UFC 320, where he defeated Cory Sandhagen. He said he would accept a prelim fight if it allowed him to compete at the historic event. He stated that he would love to fight at the White House. He added that he would gladly open the prelims if needed. He said the chance to compete matters more than the placement. He also mentioned that Ilia Topuria, Conor McGregor and Jon Jones want to fight there as well.
