Jon Jones, after a lengthy tweet-and-delete spree on Sunday, has released a lengthy statement about attempts to secure a spot on Freedom 250, the UFC’s White House event scheduled for June.
On Saturday, promotion officials released the line-up for the card, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje. While a good fight with tons of potential, the entire six-fight event was met with mixed reaction from fans.
Dana White later stated that despite Jon Jones’ claim that he was negotiating with the UFC, there was never a plan for “Bones,” a former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, to headline the card. He did, however, admit that Topuria vs. Gaethje was a last-minute addition to the show, and revealed that a fight had fallen through on Friday.
Jones, who previously questioned the UFC’s narrative in since-deleted posts to Twitter/X, released a longer statement on Monday that also requested his release from the promotion.
“Hey everyone, I wanted to address Dana White’s comments from this past weekend, because the truth matters to me and the fans,” wrote Jones. “Dana, you were heated about why I’m not on the White House card, but let’s clear something up. My team and I were actually negotiating with the UFC for that fight. Real negotiations. I even came down from my original number, and what was I offered in return ? I was lowballed.
Jones then responded to comments White made about his arthritic hip, a condition Jones revealed just weeks ago. “Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight. So let me get this straight, if I had accepted the lowball offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I’d be on the White House card? That doesn’t make sense. I even received stem cell treatment last week to get ready for the White House card, and training camp was scheduled to start today. I was preparing to be ready.”
“I understand business deals fall through sometimes, but going out publicly and saying things that aren’t true isn’t right. After everything I’ve given to the UFC, the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m “done” is disappointing. Especially when as recently as Friday UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number. If the UFC truly feels like I’m done, then I respectfully ask to be released from my contract today. No more spins, no more games. Thank you to the real fans who know what’s up. Bones out.”
Jones has long coveted a fight with Alex “Poatan” Pereira, who is vacating his light heavyweight title for a move to heavyweight. He’s currently booked to fight Ciryl Gane for an interim title on the Freedom 250 card.
Another legacy fight for Jones, Francis Ngannou, recently announced he was fighting for MVP on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card on Netflix. With Netflix likely willing to pony up money for big fights, Jones may now see a bigger payday waiting outside the UFC.
