Jones calls for release from UFC contract

Jon Jones has asked to be released from his UFC contract following comments by president Dana White. 

While speaking to newsmen at the UFC 326 post-fight conference, White had said that a Jon Jones fixture at UFC White House was “never going to happen ever”. He also revealed that Jones was dealing with arthritis, which cast doubt on his future with the sport.

Jones took to social media to hit back at White. He admitted that he had arthritis, but that did not stop the UFC from reaching out to him and sending him an offer with a fee lower than his usual rates. 

According to Bones, he and his team were engaged in a negotiation, which is why White’s comments caught him offguard. 

Part of his statement said: “Hey everyone, 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.

“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.”

At the end of his statement, he called on the UFC to release him from his current contract. 

Jones announced his retirement in June 2025, relinquishing the heavyweight title in the process. He had denied several times since then about a possible comeback, but had remained in the testing pool.

But the arthritis update casts some doubt over his future in the sport, and that could be the angle Dana White was viewing it from. 

Still, for everything Jones had done for the sport, Jones believes White’s statement was quite disappointing. 

However at this point, almost nothing can be done. The UFC White House fight card has been announced, and the 38-year-old is missing from it.