Joe Rogan Disappointed Jon Jones Missed UFC White House Card
The planned UFC White House card on is generating discussion, not just for its unique venue, but also for who isn’t on it. Among those expressing disappointment is longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, who voiced his surprise that former heavyweight champion Jon Jones wasn’t included in the lineup.
The card, revealed during the UFC 326 broadcast on , features a heavyweight title bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. While a compelling matchup, many within the MMA community, including Rogan, had hoped to see Jones compete on such a high-profile event.
“I was hoping for that,” Rogan said on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, referring to a potential agreement between the UFC and Jones. “I don’t know why that didn’t happen. I don’t know. I imply there’s Jon’s version, there’s the UFC’s version. I don’t know what was the stumbling block there.”
The situation is particularly frustrating for fans given the intrigue surrounding a potential super-fight between Jones and Pereira. Jones, considered by many to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, had previously expressed interest in facing ‘Poatan,’ but those plans have now been shelved, at least for this event.
Rogan acknowledged the complexities of the relationship between Jones and UFC President Dana White, but suggested it wasn’t beyond repair. “I don’t reckon it’s that bad,” he stated. “They certainly could make a deal.” He then drew a contrast with the situation involving former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, whom White has publicly stated he will not do business with.
The current impasse stems from White rejecting Jones’ comeback plans last summer, citing concerns about the former champion’s reliability. This decision clearly didn’t sit well with Jones, who has since requested his release from the UFC, a move prompted by the snub and White’s subsequent comments.
Jones’ frustration is understandable, given his status within the sport and the potential draw of a fight on a card intended to showcase the UFC to a broader audience at the White House. The event represents a unique opportunity for the promotion, and many believe Jones’ presence would have significantly elevated its profile.
The dynamic between Jones and White has been turbulent at times throughout their history. Jones’ career has been marked by both incredible success and periods of controversy, including issues outside the cage that have led to suspensions and stripped titles. White has often expressed frustration with these incidents, and it appears those concerns played a role in his decision not to include Jones on the White House card.
Rogan’s comments highlight the broader disappointment within the MMA community regarding the situation. While Pereira versus Gane is a worthwhile contest, the absence of Jones leaves a void for many fans who were anticipating his return to the Octagon on such a significant stage. The question now becomes whether the UFC and Jones can find a way to reconcile and potentially revisit negotiations for future events.
The situation also raises questions about the UFC’s long-term plans for its heavyweight division. With Jones potentially leaving the promotion, the future of the title picture remains uncertain. The outcome of the Pereira-Gane fight will undoubtedly have a major impact, but the absence of a dominant force like Jones could create a period of instability at the top of the division.
As of , Jones remains steadfast in his request for release, and White has yet to publicly address the possibility of granting it. The situation is fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks. For now, the UFC White House card will proceed without one of its most recognizable and talented stars, leaving many fans and analysts, including Joe Rogan, wondering what could have been.