Former champion explains Dana White's strategy to lure Jon Jones to the UFC White House: 'Make him beg'

Jon Jones is a former UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/@ufc

After months of negotiations to unify the heavyweight belt (up to 120,2 kg) with Tom aspinall fail, the announcement of the UFC being held at the White House was enough to end the retirement of Jon JonesHowever, Dana White has made it clear on several occasions that he does not trust the now former fighter to headline such an important event. In this context, Rashad evans believes that the bald man has been using the best possible strategy to motivate Bones to prepare in the correct way.

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According to Evans, who was Jones' training partner at Jackson's Wink for years, the former light heavyweight (93 lbs.) and heavyweight (120,2 lbs.) champion tends to prepare better and care more about the fight if he's not sure he'll make it.

"You have to make him beg a little bit so you know he's totally buying it. Make him fight for the opportunity, and that way you'll make him totally buy in, so there won't be any of this bullshit, and you'll know he'll show up to train, to make sure he's the best he can be for that fight," Evans said in an interview with American journalist Mike Bohn's podcast Bohnfire.

“Make Him Beg a Little Bit” — Rashad evans Talks Jon Jones and the UFC White House Card

“You gotta make him believe a little bit so that way you know he's buying all the way in. Make him plead his case, and that way you get him to totally buy in, so there are going to be none... pic.twitter.com/IBRCNaqEVh

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 25, 2025

Jones and Evans faced each other in the UFC

Jon Jones e Rashad evans listen to instructions before the fight at UFC 145 (Photo: Al Bello/Zuffa LLC)

Despite having trained together, the two fighters also maintained a fierce rivalry over the past decade, even leading to Evans's departure from the gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The athletes faced each other in the main event of UFC 145, with the light heavyweight title (up to 93 kg) on ​​the line. Bones easily won the bout by unanimous decision.