Jon Jones is not happy, and he wants out of the UFC.
Jones, considered by many the greatest MMA fighter of all time, has expressed his discontent with UFC CEO Dana White’s handling of his negotiations for a return at the UFC White House event, but it looks like he’s hit a boiling point.
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In the latest back and forth between Jones and White, all taking place in the media, the former two-division champion called for his release from the promotion in a legnthy post on X.
“Hey everyone, I wanted to address Dana White’s comments from this past weekend, because the truth matters to me and the fans,” Jones wrote on X. “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.”
Jones and White have had a rocky relationship over the years. However, this latest wrinkle started this past weekend with White claiming that Jones was “never, ever” going to fight at the White House event, and that Jones was responsible for starting “bullsh*t” rumors. White’s claims didn’t sit right with Jones, who’s been very public in saying that he was in negotiations to compete on the June 14 card. Jones request for a release is the latest in the saga.
The White House card, which was announced Saturday during UFC 326, rolls on with six fights, including two title bouts: Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane. Other bouts include Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus and Steve Garcia vs. Diego Lopes.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jon Jones asks for UFC release, tells Dana White ‘no more games’
