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Mixed martial arts legend Jon Jones ended his retirement from the UFC simply because he wanted a spot on the “Freedom 250” fight card at the White House in June.
But when UFC CEO Dana White announced the card at UFC 326 last weekend, Jones was not among the fighters. As a result, he requested a release from his UFC contract.
White was candid when asked about Jones following the UFC 326 card.
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Jon Jones of the United States of America reacts after his TKO victory against Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York. ((Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images))
“Never, ever, as I’ve told you hundreds of thousands of times, Jon Jones never even remotely thought about fighting in the White House,” White explained, according to CBS Sports. “A guy with meta glasses filmed him talking about his hips – that his hips were so bad. And I don’t know if you saw that flag football game where he can barely run. Jon Jones retired because of his hips. He has arthritis in his hips. Apparently the doctors say he should have a hip replacement.”
White added that “Jon Jones’ thing is bulls—,” saying he texted the fighter’s lawyer to say he would never be on the White House card, although Jones said he was in negotiations for that.
UFC ANNOUNCES CARD FOR WHITE HOUSE EVENT
The Meta Glasses incident White is referring to comes from a viral video, in which Jones, unaware he was being filmed, discussed issues with his hips to a fan.
On Monday, Jones wrote a detailed response to White’s comments about him and the White House Card. He had previously posted and deleted explanations on social media, but Monday’s appeared to be his last statement on the matter.
UFC President Dana White speaks after UFC Fight Night at Toyota Center on February 21, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
“Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight,” said Jones, who retired as heavyweight champion in 2025. “So let me be clear, if I had accepted the lowly offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I would be on the White House card? That doesn’t make sense. I even got stem cell treatment last week for me preparing for the White House card, and training camp was to start today I was preparing to be ready.
“I understand that business deals fail sometimes, but to come out publicly and say things that aren’t true is not okay. After everything I’ve given to the UFC, the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m ‘done’ is disappointing. Especially when, just Friday, the UFC was calling me to try to get me on that White House card for a much lower figure.”
Jones ended his statement by saying he was “respectfully” requesting to be released from his UFC contract.
Jon Jones enters the ring before facing Stipe Miocic in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York, New York. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“No more rounds, no more games. Thanks to the real fans who know what’s going on,” he wrote.
The UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PK Press Club Digital.
Jones is considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, owning a record of 28-1-1, which includes his last fight with Stipe Miocic, knocking him out to win the heavyweight title belt. He is also a two-time light heavyweight champion.
