Jon Jones has released a lengthy statement shutting down Dana White’s claims that he was never in the running for a spot at the biggest card of the year.
During the main card of UFC 326 on Saturday night, promotional CEO White announced the entire six-fight bill for ‘Freedom 250,’ better known as the UFC White House card. And while there will be an interim heavyweight title fight, Jon Jones will not take part in it.
Since then, White has twice cited Jones’ battle with arthritis as one of many reasons why he was never considered. But Jones disputed his insistence that there was never a realistic chance of him landing on the show.
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Jon Jones goes off on Dana White in new statement
After learning that Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane would contest for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of Freedom 250, Jon Jones has made his disappointment crystal clear. However, Dana White has clapped back, asking what exactly he has said that was not true.
Jones has now released a lengthy statement to X, addressing everything from his injuries to the true reason he wasn’t given a fight. It is reported that he was offered $30 million last year to fight Tom Aspinall before retiring and quickly back-tracking, but he says he was willing to take a pay cut for this show.
“Hey everyone,” Jones began. “I wanted to address Dana White’s comments from this past weekend, because the truth matters to me and the fans. 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 . 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.”