Chael Sonnen, a former UFC star and Jon Jones rival, has ruled out Jones headlining the UFC’s White House event on July 4, 2026. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Sonnen agreed with UFC CEO Dana White’s doubts about Jones, stressing that only fighters who’ve put in consistent work should get the nod. He named active fighters Alex Pereira and Colby Covington as perfect fits for the historic card celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
Sonnen’s Stance on Jones
Sonnen made his case clear.
“I haven’t thought a lot about (the event) because it is a year away, but I’m telling you, that time is going to be used as a reward,” he said on The Ariel Helwani Show.
He wants the White House card to spotlight fighters who’ve stayed active and supported the UFC.
Jones doesn’t measure up.
“Jon Jones, for example, ‘I’m the greatest fighter of all-time.’ Yeah it’s true, but you didn’t travel the roads,” Sonnen said. “You didn’t set up the ring, take your turn driving the semi-truck. You don’t deserve a reward.”
He focused on current effort.
“I’ll remind you. It’s not going to be anyone that’s been retired,” Sonnen said. “No one is going to take those glorious spots, except for the people who earned them. By showing their loyalty back to the industry, to the company.”
Sonnen didn’t mince words.
“Jon does not deserve to have a main event spot on the White House card,” he said, pointing to Jones’s retirement and past troubles.
Sonnen’s Choices for the Card
Sonnen had clear picks.
“There are some other guys that I think carry some pretty heavy water,” he said. “Alex Pereira comes to mind. Colby Covington I believe is a lock for that card.”
Pereira, a former light heavyweight and middleweight champion, has fought frequently, taking on tough opponents. Covington, a welterweight with a bold patriotic image, matches the event’s national vibe. Both have shown steady effort, fitting Sonnen’s vision.
The White House event, planned for July 4, 2026, on CBS, was confirmed by Dana White after talks with President Donald Trump. White called it the “biggest card ever,” with fighters like Conor McGregor also pushing for spots.
Pereira won the light heavyweight title against Jiří Procházka at UFC 295 in 2023 and defended it against Jamahal Hill, Procházka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. in 2024. He lost the title to Magomed Ankalaev via unanimous decision at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025, and is set to face Ankalaev in a rematch at UFC 320 on October 4, 2025. His frequent fights make him a strong White House candidate.
Colby “Chaos” Covington, 37, has a 17-5 MMA record, with 12-5 in the UFC. He debuted in 2014, beating Anying Wang. Covington won the interim welterweight title against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 in 2018 but lost title shots to Kamaru Usman in 2019 and 2021, and to Leon Edwards in 2023. His most recent fight was a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 63 on December 14, 2024, due to a cut above his eye, marking his first back-to-back losses.
Known for wrestling and his vocal support for Trump, Covington claims Trump personally requested he fight on the White House card. Despite his recent loss, his active status and patriotic persona back Sonnen’s pick.
Dana White’s hesitation about Jones stems from past troubles. In 2015, the UFC stripped Jones of his light heavyweight title after a hit-and-run. His 2016 and 2017 drug test failures led to suspensions. In 2025, Jones demanded $30 million for an Aspinall fight, which collapsed despite Saudi Arabia’s support. White’s “billion to one” odds comment at the UFC 319 press conference reflects these issues.
