Quid pro quo?
United States President Donald Trump was inaugurated for the second time today (Mon., Jan. 20, 2025), and a slew of combat sports personalities attended, including Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White, former two-division champion Conor McGregor, Youtubers-turner boxers Logan and Jake Paul.
Well, UFC Heavyweight champion Jon Jones can also be added to the list, as Trump personally invited him.
“Donald and Dana White have become pretty good friends, and it’s a really cool time to be in the UFC, being American, being a champion, getting an invite from the president. It’s quite a big deal,” Jones told TMZ today.
“At the end of the day, you know, despite what political party you’re in, I’m American, and I was personally invited by our president,” Jones added.
Jones wasn’t exactly sure if he would get the invite, but when Trump showed up to his fight at UFC 309 two months ago, where he absolutely demolished Stipe Miocic and then did the ‘Trump dance’ (watch highlights), Jones knew he would be asked to attend.
“I had heard from a lot of friends that there’s a high possibility that I’d be invited to the inauguration, especially that he came to my fight. I gave him a belt. I gave him a proper salute. And, yeah, I think it was expected. And now I’m here,” Jones concluded.
“Bones” is expected to unify his UFC Heavyweight championship with Tom Aspinall later this year … well, that’s what the UFC head honcho proclaims.
