MMA News

Tag: Jon Jones

  • Dana White Compares Jon Jones To Michael Jordan Despite Contract Dispute

    Dana White Compares Jon Jones To Michael Jordan Despite Contract Dispute

    Dana White is still calling Jon Jones the greatest fighter in UFC history despite their public falling out over the UFC White House card, comparing Jones to Michael Jordan in a recent interview.

    Speaking to The New Yorker, White made his position on Jones’ legacy clear.

    “If you’re looking for your Michael Jordan, it would be Jon Jones, who is the greatest. Jon Jones is in his forties now. He’s undefeated still, never been beat. And he’s moved up and down weight classes. It is very, very unique and hard to be undefeated in the UFC.”

    The praise comes despite an increasingly hostile relationship between the two sides. Jones requested his UFC release after claiming to have been lowballed on an offer to fight at UFC White House on June 14, while White denied ever entertaining Jones for that card. Jones has since been publicly pursuing a contract exit, most recently requesting the contact details of Tyron Woodley’s lawyer Sam Spira, who believes a legal route out may exist.

    Jones has also expressed interest in fighting Francis Ngannou outside the UFC and has teased a potential boxing venture, revealing he expects talks with IBA president Umar Kremlev about entering the ring if he can secure his release.

  • Jon Jones Is Taking Serious Steps To Get Out Of His UFC Contract

    Jon Jones Is Taking Serious Steps To Get Out Of His UFC Contract

    Tyron Woodley says Jon Jones texted him after the MVP MMA 1 broadcast, asking for the lawyer who could potentially help him pursue a Francis Ngannou fight outside the UFC.

    Jones said during the Netflix broadcast that getting out of his UFC contract would be the primary obstacle to making a Ngannou fight happen. Woodley, who was on the broadcast alongside Jones, told NewBettingSites.uk that his attorney Sam Spira was involved in the legal framework explored before Conor McGregor’s 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather — and that a similar route could be available to Jones.

    “Conor McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather. My lawyer is the lawyer that actually gave Audie Attar and Conor the play and the manoeuvre to do it through the Ali Act. His name is Sam Spira. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for it. If Jon wanted to fight Francis Ngannou, there is a legal way where he can do it. It’s not going to be a cakewalk, but have the legal team deal with it.”

    Woodley said Jones reached out to him directly after the broadcast.

    “Jon texted me afterwards, because Jon knows me. He knows if I say something, I’m not going to be sugarcoating it. As I was saying it on air, my lawyer was watching it, so he sent me a text message of exactly the injunction he would have to do, how he would have to file it, and the process. It’s going to be a battle, but this is the way you can do it. Jon asked me himself, he said, ‘Tyron, send me that lawyer’s number that knows that play.’ I said fine, and I forwarded him my lawyer’s info.”

    The Ali Act is a federal boxing law covering anti-competitive practices in professional boxing. It was not written for MMA, meaning any legal strategy would require Jones’ team to find an applicable angle rather than directly invoking the act.

    Woodley also noted that Jones may not feel urgency to pursue a legal battle, given his current business ventures including mentoring Gable Steveson, working with Dirty Boxing, and staying active through appearances and seminars.

    “I would say he has the information he needs, if he legally wants to pursue that. But he is doing well business-wise. He’s got a lot of things keeping him busy. So if he wants to fight, he’s got the information to do it. The ball’s in his court.”

  • Jon Jones And Rampage Jackson Appear To Squash Beef In Hilarious Backstage Reunion At MVP MMA 1

    Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson appeared to squash their long-running beef backstage at Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 event, sharing a lighthearted reunion that was captured on video.

    The two former rivals headlined UFC 135 in 2011, with Jones submitting Jackson in the fourth round. The buildup was contentious, with Jackson accusing Jones of planting a spy in his training camp, and the bad blood lingered after the fight when Jackson repeatedly accused Jones of being a lifelong cheater.

    Despite that history, the two ran into each other backstage at the Rousey vs. Carano card at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and the interaction was notably warm. Jones posted a video on Instagram described as him “apologizing” to Jackson in a humorous exchange.

    Jones remains at odds with the UFC following a contract dispute that prevented a fight with Tom Aspinall from happening. He has been publicly critical of UFC CEO Dana White’s decision to exclude him from the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14.

    Jackson retired from MMA in 2019 following a loss to Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 237 and has since built a career as host of the JAXXON Podcast.

  • Jon Jones Says MVP MMA Was ‘Actually Better Than The UFC’ After Rousey vs. Carano

    Jon Jones Says MVP MMA Was ‘Actually Better Than The UFC’ After Rousey vs. Carano

    Jon Jones says MVP MMA’s debut event on Netflix was better produced than anything he has experienced in the UFC, and expressed optimism about eventually getting out of his contract to fight Francis Ngannou.

    Jones served as an analyst for Saturday’s Rousey vs. Carano card at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and was effusive in his praise for what MVP put together.

    “I thought the MVP promotion was absolutely unbelievable. I think it was actually better than the UFC. I’ve never been at such a promotion where they had the fog machines and the TVs absolutely everywhere, great fighters. Half the audience came out to see Diaz win. Both guys are my close personal friends, so it was bittersweet.”

    Jones also weighed in on the main event, saying Rousey did exactly what he predicted.

    “Ronda did absolutely unbelievable. She did exactly what I thought she would do and won in less than a minute. It was 17 seconds, and I predicted it. Her judo and her jiu-jitsu, I mean she’s put so many years into it. The other girls to this day are still so far behind.”

    Jones was called out by Ngannou following his first-round knockout of Philipe Lins during the event. He expressed interest in fighting Ngannou under the MVP banner and said he remains hopeful about finding a path out of his UFC contract, noting it is “very, very possible” with the right people and effort. The UFC is unlikely to facilitate a Ngannou fight given the fractured relationship between the two sides.

  • Jon Jones Says He’s Focused On Trying To Get UFC Release

    Jon Jones Says He’s Focused On Trying To Get UFC Release

    Jon Jones was present for the MVP MMA card and said he’d need to get out of his UFC contract to face Francis Ngannou.

    Jones was a guest at the analysts’ desk, present to react to Ngannou’s performance against Phillips Lins. Ngannou ended up finishing Lins in just under five minutes.

    Following the fight, Ariel Helwani asked Ngannou about potential next fights. Jake Paul was brought up as a possible opponent, as was Jones, but all parties seemed to recognize the difficulty of such a fight happening while Jones is locked under a UFC contract.

    Jon Jones Looking To Get Out Of UFC Contract For Francis Ngannou Matchup

    Jones was then asked to follow up on his thoughts, and he appeared to hint that he might be looking to get out of his contract.

    “I’ve got to try to focus on getting out of my UFC contract,” Jones said. “That’s going to be the difficult part if this fight [with Francis Ngannou] is going to happen. I don’t think [UFC CEO and President] Dana [White] is interested in doing business with Francis, so doing it with MVP would probably be the only way to make it happen, and if we can get out of my contract that would be great.”

    Jones has not fought since defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Jones and Tom Aspinall’s negotiations for a heavyweight title fight ended with Jones’ retirement. That retirement only lasted two weeks, when Jones requested to be put on the UFC White House card.

    When Jones was not placed on the card, he asked for his release.

    Jones and Ngannou have had previous negotiations with the UFC for a fight, but the fight fell through more than once before Ngannou left the UFC in 2023.

    The win over Lins was Ngannou’s first fight since his sole PFL bout — a first-round knockout of Renan Ferreira in October 2024.

  • Jon Jones Is Doing Something He Has Never Done Before And Francis Ngannou Has Noticed

    Jon Jones Is Doing Something He Has Never Done Before And Francis Ngannou Has Noticed

    Francis Ngannou says he finds it “very interesting” that Jon Jones will be part of the broadcast team for Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 event.

    Ngannou competes on the main card of the Netflix event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, facing Philipe Lins. Jones was announced as an analyst for the broadcast, marking his first time working behind the desk.

    Speaking to reporters following Wednesday’s open workout, Ngannou reflected on Jones’ presence.

    “Well, it’s going to be very interesting to have Jon Jones in the same arena at night watching. It’s very interesting to see how it’s going to be, but we will see. It will be great. It adds to be what I’m saying, this event is just like one-standing event. Jon Jones never broadcast, did he?”

    Ngannou and Jones had previously been discussed as a potential matchup when both were under the UFC banner, but the fight never materialized. Jones is currently at odds with the UFC and has even requested his release. His work with MVP MMA this weekend has prompted speculation about what his involvement could mean going forward.

    Ngannou’s last MMA fight was a finish of Renan Ferreira in October 2024 to capture the PFL Super Fights heavyweight championship.

  • Jon Jones Fires Back at Kamaru Usman Over Brock Lesnar Prediction

    Jon Jones Fires Back at Kamaru Usman Over Brock Lesnar Prediction

    Jon Jones has fired back after Kamaru Usman predicted Brock Lesnar would beat him in a hypothetical wrestling match, and his response left no room for ambiguity.

    The exchange started on Usman’s Pound 4 Pound podcast, where the former welterweight champion gave Lesnar the edge in a fantasy wrestling matchup against Jones based on size and pedigree. Lesnar is a former NCAA Division I national champion from 2000 and spent time as UFC heavyweight champion before his brief MMA career wound down.

    “This is an outrageous question. Who would win? Hypothetically, I would say the sheer size of Brock Lesnar and the way he wrestled,” Usman said. “Brock Lesnar wasn’t necessarily a guy ripping shots all the time, but he could wear guys down. Brock would be a bit more offensive, and trying to get a guy of that size down multiple times? I just don’t see it.”

    Jones caught the clip and responded on Instagram Stories with a statement that expanded the challenge well beyond the original premise.

    “@Usman84KG I’m getting my hand raised against you and Brock in the same night,” Jones wrote.

    The response comes as Jones has already turned down one wrestling match proposal. Daniel Cormier recently pitched a $100,000 bet for a wrestling showdown to settle their trilogy after the two rekindled their rivalry as opposing coaches on the ALF Reality show. Jones rejected it publicly, stating Cormier has already had his chance.

    Jones’ future in combat sports remains uncertain following his recent walkback of a retirement announcement. Lesnar appeared to retire from professional wrestling at WrestleMania 42, though insiders at WWE believe his in-ring career may not be fully over.

  • Francis Ngannou Says UFC Used Jon Jones as Bait in Talks

    Francis Ngannou Says UFC Used Jon Jones as Bait in Talks

    Francis Ngannou has revealed that the Jon Jones superfight that was dangled during his UFC contract negotiations was never a genuine offer, describing it as leverage rather than a real booking the promotion intended to make.

    Speaking about the circumstances of his 2023 departure from the UFC, Ngannou said the matchup that fans and analysts had been anticipating for years was used as a tool to keep him engaged in talks without any actual commitment behind it.

    “The fight was never really on the table,” Ngannou stated.

    The revelation adds new context to one of the most discussed exits in UFC history. At the time Ngannou left, many observers believed a Jones fight was imminent, making his departure feel particularly abrupt.

    Despite the frustration, Ngannou said he still wants the Jones matchup before his career ends and views it as unfinished business. Jones has remained with the UFC and continues to hold the heavyweight title, while Ngannou has since competed in boxing and signed with the PFL.

    Ngannou returns to the cage on May 16 at the Netflix card at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, facing Philipe Lins on the same night Ronda Rousey headlines against Gina Carano.

  • Chael Sonnen Slams Jon Jones For Retirement U-Turns, Supports Dana White’s Freedom 250 Snub: ‘What Good Is Your Word?’

    Chael Sonnen Slams Jon Jones For Retirement U-Turns, Supports Dana White’s Freedom 250 Snub: ‘What Good Is Your Word?’

    Chael Sonnen has weighed in on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Jon Jones, backing Dana White’s decision to keep the former two-division champion off the highly anticipated UFC Freedom 250 card.

    “Bones” once again stirred confusion over the weekend after indicating he would remain retired, before quickly reversing course a day later. The latest flip-flop has only added to a long pattern of indecision, and Sonnen made it clear he’s had enough.

    Chael Sonnen Questions Jon Jones’ Reliability Amid Retirement Flip-Flops

    Sonnen recently criticized Jones’ back-and-forth stance on social media, arguing that inconsistency at that level damages trust.

    “Jon Jones publicly retired on Friday, which is enough, per the rules, to have yourself removed from the testing pool,” Sonnen said. “Jon Jones, on Saturday, came back and said he is not officially retired, which, per the rules, is enough to reinsert yourself into the testing pool.”

    “The Bad Guy” didn’t stop there, raising a deeper concern about credibility.

    “When you put out a statement on Friday and the exact opposite statement on Saturday, there is a simple question… what good is your word?”

    Sonnen emphasized that being a champion requires more than just skill inside the cage.

    “If you’re the baddest dude in the world and you’re going to be the world champion, you’ve got to be a man. And nobody’s going to mistake you for a man… if they can’t trust you.”

    Chael Sonnen Backs Dana White’s Decision To Leave Jon Jones Off UFC White House Card

    The former title challenger also agreed with the UFC CEO’s stance on not booking “Bones” for the high-profile White House event set for June 14, pointing to his unpredictability as a major issue.

    “When we end up in a situation like this with Jon, where he’s in and he’s out… you can’t count on a guy like that,” Sonnen said on YouTube. “From what we’ve been told, the entire knock on Jon, and why he didn’t get on the White House card, is because they couldn’t count on him.”

    According to Sonnen, this inconsistency has followed Jones for years and continues to impact how the UFC does business with him.

    “It creates a very unusual and difficult position,” he added. “You can’t count on him. When he shows up, is it fun? Sure, but you know the result ahead of time. It’s very difficult.”

    Sonnen even contrasted Jones’ situation with UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, highlighting the respect that comes with certainty.

    “That’s not how men talk,” Sonnen said. “There was never a doubt when Khabib said, ‘I’m done’… we knew that his word meant something.”

  • Jon Jones Backtracks on Retirement After UFC 327 Attendance

    Jon Jones Backtracks on Retirement After UFC 327 Attendance

    Jon Jones appears to be reconsidering his retirement, walking back comments he made just days earlier suggesting his fighting career was over.

    Jones had previously declared that his “gloves are hung up,” a statement that seemed to bring a definitive end to one of the most storied careers in combat sports history. His attendance at UFC 327 in Miami appears to have shifted that perspective.

    “I’m just taking it day by day,” Jones said when asked about his fighting future, a significant change from the finality of his earlier remarks.

    Jones himself acknowledged at the event that being around the sport in person had reignited something in him, saying the atmosphere gave him “a fire that I haven’t felt in a little bit.” 

    Although Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, having held the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship for multiple reigns and briefly capturing heavyweight gold, there has been outside the Octagon problems.

    His career has also been marked by repeated controversies including suspensions, failed drug tests, and legal issues, making his legacy one of the most complicated in the sport.

    No timeline for a potential return has been announced. Whether the day-by-day approach eventually leads him back to the Octagon or he ultimately sticks with retirement remains to be seen.

  • Jon Jones Says His Fame Makes Every Mistake Public: ‘I’m a Pretty Good Person’

    Jon Jones Says His Fame Makes Every Mistake Public: ‘I’m a Pretty Good Person’

    Jon Jones addressed his complicated public image over the weekend, telling reporters at a Dirty Boxing event in Miami that his fame is what turns his personal missteps into major news stories.

    Speaking to reporter Shea Filling, Jones reflected on the gap between how he sees himself and how his controversies have shaped his public perception.

    “I am a little bit of a wild guy, and I’m pretty well-known so when I mess up it gets very, very public, but I do believe I’m way more good of a person than I am any negative,” Jones said. He laughed when Filling expressed surprise at his friendly demeanor, asking, “Did you expect me to be a scary guy?”

    He closed his remarks with a measured self-assessment. “We all have our things. We all have our sides, but I think I’m a pretty good person.”

    The comments come against the backdrop of one of the most decorated yet controversial careers in combat sports history. Jones holds 11 light heavyweight title defenses and a brief heavyweight championship reign, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

    That legacy, however, has been repeatedly complicated by a series of suspensions, stripped titles, and legal troubles including a 2015 hit-and-run involving a pregnant woman, failed drug tests in 2016 and 2017, and separate arrests for DUI and domestic violence.

    His recent public activity has done little to simplify the picture. Jones was filmed confronting a driver following an alleged road rage incident in New Mexico, though he has denied wrongdoing. He has also made conflicting statements about his fighting future in recent weeks, at various points declaring he was done competing before walking those comments back after a positive conversation with UFC executive Hunter Campbell at the Miami event.

    He also downplayed the public fallout from failed negotiations with the UFC over a potential White House card appearance, seeing it as a standard business disagreement rather than a deeper rift with the promotion.

  • Jon Jones Downplays UFC Disagreement Over Alex Pereira Fight

    Jon Jones Downplays UFC Disagreement Over Alex Pereira Fight

    Jon Jones is still unsure whether he is retired, and his appearance at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday did little to clarify the situation — though it did appear to reignite something in him.

    Speaking to UFC Brasil at the event, Jones addressed the failed negotiations for a fight with Alex Pereira and downplayed the public dispute that had spilled into the media in recent weeks, framing it as a straightforward disagreement over compensation rather than a deeper falling out with the promotion.

    “You know, I feel like I wanted to be compensated in a way that I wasn’t, and we just had a disagreement and that happens in life,” Jones said. “But you know what, I’m a big fan of Alex Pereira. I love the way he carries himself, he’s just such a classy fighter, potential opponent, person, big fan of him.”

    The fight ultimately went to Ciryl Gane after negotiations between Jones and the UFC broke down. Tension between the two sides had become public in March, when Jones expressed frustration over being left off the White House card. UFC CEO Dana White pushed back by claiming Jones was never realistically being discussed to headline the event. Jones had previously said the UFC “lowballed” him and at one point suggested the promotion release him if they were not serious about negotiating.

    Despite the back and forth, Jones stopped short of burning any bridges on Saturday. He also stopped short of committing to retirement, continuing a pattern of conflicting statements that has left his future genuinely unclear.

    “I’m not sure if I’m retired or not,” Jones said. “I’m just taking it day by day just trying to kind of figure out my body and how I feel, things like that.”

    Being around the sport in person appeared to have an effect on him. “I’ll tell you what, being here at the UFC right now definitely has given me this fire that I haven’t felt in a little bit, so it feels very good to be here,” Jones said.

    When asked if he still has anything left to prove as one of the most decorated champions in combat sports history, his answer was direct. “No, I don’t feel like I have anything to prove. I feel really good.”

    Jones has previously stated that his motivation to continue competing centers on adding major names to his legacy and maximizing his earning power. Whether those conditions can be met with the UFC remains an open question.

  • UFC Announces Signing Of Gable Steveson, Will Debut At UFC 329

    UFC Announces Signing Of Gable Steveson, Will Debut At UFC 329

    In a move that has been expected for a while, the UFC have signed former Olympic gold medalist and NCAA wrestling champion Gable Steveson.

    The signing was made official in an announcement during the UFC 327 broadcast. Steveson was in the crowd for the event, seated next to former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jones has been overseeing Steveson’s transition to full-time Mixed Martial Arts.

    The UFC broadcast also announced that Steveson will make his UFC debut at UFC 329 on July 11, during the UFC’s International Fight Week.

    Former Olympic, NCAA Champion Gable Steveson Signs With UFC

    Steveson was a standout wrestler, becoming a four-time conference champion and five-time NCAA-Division I All-American while wrestling at the University of Minnesota. Steveson won the NCAA championship twice and made the finals a third time.

    Steveson, in addition, was a gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

    After failed stints with the WWE and Buffalo Bills, Steveson made the move to professional MMA in 2025. He has scored three first-round finishes so far.

    Steveson is also signed to RAF and is expected to debut on May 30 at RAF 9, taking on Alexandr Romanov.

  • Jon Jones Changes Retirement Tune Again After Stem Cell Treatment

    Jon Jones Changes Retirement Tune Again After Stem Cell Treatment

    The Jon Jones saga continues after all?

    After hinting at retirement in a video posted on social media on Friday, April 10, stating he had “hung up his gloves,” Jones has appeared to leave the door open on fighting in the future.

    Per MMA Fighting, while appearing at the Dirty Boxing 6 event held on that same night, Jones said he had a conversation about the situation with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell.

    Jones stated that his body had started to feel more capable after undergoing stem-cell treatment.

    “We had that conversation tonight,” Jones said. “I took a stem cell right before the White House card was created, and I’m starting to feel the effects of that stem cell, I feel really good physically.”

    Jones has publicly stated that dealing with arthritis has been a hurdle for him to continue his MMA career. It appeared to be the reason he was formally retired in June 2025. That same month, UFC CEO and President Dana White announced Jones’ retirement status, awarding the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship to then-interim champion Tom Aspinall.

    After three years away from the Octagon, dominating the light heavyweight scene through the 2010s, Jones moved up to heavyweight at UFC 285, defeating Ciryl Gane for the then-vacant UFC heavyweight title.

    Jones last fought at UFC 309, defeating Stipe Miocic. He was scheduled to fight Miocic one year earlier at UFC 295, the same night Aspinall went on to win the interim title, but suffered a torn pec.

    Jones changed his stance on retirement a couple of weeks later, when U.S. President Donald Trump first teased what would become UFC Freedom 250. Jones, to his disappointment, was left off the card in favor of an interim heavyweight title fight between Gane and Alex Pereira.

    It’s uncertain if and when Jones will return to the Octagon, but he stated that his priority right now is coaching Gable Steveson. Steveson, the former NCAA wrestling champion, competes at RAF 9 on May 30. He is currently 3-0 in professional MMA, and many expect him to be picked up by the UFC sooner or later.

    “So I told them let’s not put any pressure on anything, I want to focus on coaching Gable right now,” Jones said. “But who knows what the future holds?”

  • “My Gloves Are Hung Up” – Jon Jones Says He’s Done Fighting

    “My Gloves Are Hung Up” – Jon Jones Says He’s Done Fighting

    After back-to-back retirement/fighter negotiation sagas, it seems like perhaps Jon Jones really is done with his fighting days for good.

    In a new video posted on social media by Red Corner MMA, Jones claims that he no longer considers himself a fighter, but a businessman.

    “My gloves are hung up,” Jones said in the video. “I’m chilling these days. You got business Jon Jones, no more fighter Jon Jones.”

    The last couple of years have been an ongoing saga regarding Jones’ availability and status, going back to his time as the UFC heavyweight champion.

    Jones appeared to be formally retired for good when UFC President Dana White announced such during the UFC Baku post-fight press conference in June 2025. In that same press conference, Aspinall was promoted from interim to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.

    This seemed to bring an end to long-standing negotiations for the two to meet in a title unification bout. Aspinall won the UFC interim heavyweight title at UFC 295, a card where Jones was scheduled to defend the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic before tearing his pec. Jones would defeat Miocic when they finally met a year later at UFC 309.

    But when U.S. President Donald Trump first teased the plans for a UFC card at the White House, now known as UFC Freedom 250, Jones was one of the first people to raise his hand to participate in the event. This came just two weeks after White confirmed Jones’ retirement.

    White admitted at one point that Jones vs. Aspinall was his own White House “dream main event.” There was also some clamoring for Jones vs. Pereira to headline UFC Freedom 250 in the wake of Aspinall’s unavailability since his eye injury against Ciryl Gane in the UFC 321 main event.

    White, however, made it clear on more than one occasion that he did not trust Jones with headlining such a major card, pointing to some of Jones’ issues outside of the Octagon. That decision was made final with the release of the UFC Freedom 250 card.

    Now, it seems less certain we’ll see Jones compete in the UFC again.

    UFC Freedom 250 will feature an interim heavyweight title fight between Gane and Pereira. Its main event will be Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje battling to unify the UFC lightweight championship.

  • Jon Jones Calls Daniel Cormier ‘Crybaby B*tch’ in ALF Reality 3

    Jon Jones Calls Daniel Cormier ‘Crybaby B*tch’ in ALF Reality 3

    Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones recently reignited his long-standing rivalry with Daniel Cormier in newly released footage from ALF Reality 3. He called Cormier a “crybaby b—-” after the UFC Hall of Famer declined a wrestling match.

    The footage, released by ALF Reality, shows Jones addressing Cormier’s decision to avoid a grappling contest.

    Jones and Cormier’s Storied Rivalry

    Jones and Cormier have maintained their animosity despite both fighters moving on from their active rivalry years ago. Jones currently holds the UFC heavyweight title, while Cormier has transitioned to commentary and analysis roles.

    Jones teased competing against Cormier in either a Real American Freestyle wrestling match or a boxing fight since announcing his MMA retirement last year.

    Following a fallout with UFC CEO Dana White over his exclusion from the White House card, it remains unclear if Jones will make another comeback.

    Neither Jones nor Cormier has issued additional public statements regarding the exchange beyond what appears in the ALF Reality footage.

  • Dricus Du Plessis: Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou Wouldn’t Be Close

    Dricus Du Plessis: Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou Wouldn’t Be Close

    Dricus Du Plessis does not believe a fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou would be particularly close. The UFC middleweight champion shared a direct prediction during an appearance on Fight Forecast, dismissing the matchup as a lopsided fight in Jones’ favor.

    “I think that’s Jones easy,” Du Plessis said. “I think Jones… I don’t even think that’s a fight.”

    The potential matchup between the two has been a topic of discussion in combat sports conversations for years. In January 2023, Jones and Ngannou were deep in negotiations for a bout that appeared close to being finalized, but Ngannou’s departure from the UFC and subsequent title stripping ended those talks before anything could be made official.

    Jones retired from fighting in June 2025, months after defeating former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. He has since come out of retirement with designs on competing at UFC Freedom 250, the historic White House event on June 14.

    When Jones was denied a spot on that card, he requested immediate release from his UFC contract. He currently remains in negotiations with the promotion over his future.

    Ngannou’s post-UFC path has taken him through the PFL, where his deal included provisions allowing him to accept professional boxing matches. He lost to both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in his two boxing appearances before parting ways with the PFL in March of this year.

    Ngannou is now scheduled to face Philipe Lins in a five-round co-main event bout on May 16 in Inglewood, California, on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card. He has publicly encouraged Jones to secure his release from the UFC, suggesting the two could potentially meet outside of the promotion if Jones were to gain his freedom.

  • Jon Jones Responds to Viral Road Rage Video in Albuquerque: ‘I’m Proud of Myself’

    Jon Jones Responds to Viral Road Rage Video in Albuquerque: ‘I’m Proud of Myself’

    Jon Jones recently responded to a viral video showing an alleged road rage incident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, telling fans he was “proud of myself” for how he handled the confrontation. The former Light Heavyweight Champion was filmed exchanging words with a local car salesman after an apparent driving dispute.

    Bryan Beltran, an Albuquerque car salesman, dropped a video footage of himself confronting a driver he claimed nearly hit his vehicle multiple times near Central Avenue and Eubank.

    The driver appeared to be Jones, who can be heard in the video saying “You gotta calm down, bro. You gotta relax yourself, bro” before giving an obscene gesture and walking away.

    Jon Jones Responds

    Jones confirmed his involvement in the incident on social media, offering his version of events.

    “This kid proceeded to chase my car down for two blocks, revving his engine and trying to intimidate me,” Jones wrote on X.

    “I am glad this happened to me and not one of the senior citizens in our community. I am proud of myself for standing up for myself and not allowing that kind of bullying or intimidation.”

    Beltran claimed Jones nearly hit his vehicle three times while driving on Central Avenue. According to his Instagram post, he revved his engine after the first near-collision, but the truck driver allegedly came close to hitting him twice more.

    Despite the heated exchange, Beltran stated he holds no animosity toward the former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion.

    Beltran expressed hope for a peaceful resolution, adding:

    “Hopefully, soon I’ll make another video where we can maybe shake hands and ‘squash the beef.’”

    The incident marks another controversial moment for Jones, who has had multiple legal issues throughout his career.

  • Gable Steveson Shuts Down UFC Hall of Famer Over Jon Jones Criticism: ‘He’s Perfect’

    Gable Steveson Shuts Down UFC Hall of Famer Over Jon Jones Criticism: ‘He’s Perfect’

    Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson has defended Jon Jones, calling the UFC legend “perfect” and backing their working relationship.

    The 25-year-old dismissed Daniel Cormier’s concerns about having Jon Jones as his coach. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling is 3-0 in his MMA career, with all three wins coming via first-round knockout under Jones’ guidance.

    Cormier recently questioned whether Jones could provide the focused coaching Steveson needs to reach his potential. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the former two-division UFC champion expressed doubts about his former rival’s ability to serve as a primary coach.

    “I believe he has a real chance to be a world champion,” Cormier said. “I believe there are some factors that may slow down [that trajectory] — his coach is Jon Jones. As long as he lets the other coaches coach him, yes. But if Jon is actually coaching him, I don’t know.”

    Gable Steveson Praises Jones’ Mentorship

    The 25-year-old wrestler responded to the criticism by offering a strong defense of Jones’ coaching abilities. Steveson emphasized the value of learning from someone widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.

    “My relationship with him is everything,” Steveson told MMA Fighting. “I don’t think he does [get enough credit]. I think a lot of people overshadow [his abilities] with a lot of things with just fighting and a lot of the things he has going on. His mentorship is the best thing that we can have.”

    Steveson described Jones as the ideal coach for his transition into mixed martial arts.

    “He’s the best fighter of all-time leading a new guy to maybe be that person also. It’s a one of a kind opportunity and I’m all ears. I’m a sponge. Just soaking in all the knowledge that I can,” he said.

    Jones’ Coaching Approach

    The Olympic champion directly addressed concerns about Jones’ commitment and professionalism as a coach. Steveson painted a picture of a dedicated mentor who consistently shows up prepared to work.

    “He’s perfect. He’s everything you want in a coach. He shows up on time. He’s ready to work. He’s ready to work overtime, also,” Steveson said. “So the narrative of him being not there, his ego’s there — it’s non-existent with him.”

    Steveson is set to make his Real American Freestyle debut at the wrestling organization’s ninth event on May 30.

  • Jon Jones Shares Bare-Knuckle Training Footage Amid UFC Feud

    Jon Jones Shares Bare-Knuckle Training Footage Amid UFC Feud

    Jon Jones shared new training footage on social media Tuesday, showing sharp bare-knuckle pad work as he continues pursuing an MMA return. The former UFC heavyweight champion posted the video amid an ongoing dispute with the promotion over his contract status.

    “Right now, I’m exactly where I need to be, I’m excited to see myself in a few months when things actually start to ramp up. Feeling sharp across the board. #MMA,” Jones captioned the video of him hitting pads without gloves.

    The training footage comes after Jones attended his first IBA Bare-Knuckle event in St. Petersburg this past weekend, where Yoel Romero competed in the main event. Jones recently signed as an ambassador with the bare-knuckle promotion.

    White House Event Dispute

    The conflict between Jones and UFC boss Dana White escalated earlier this year when Jones was excluded from the UFC White House event despite expressing interest in competing on the card. White claimed Jones was never in contention for the event, contradicting Jones’ account of failed negotiations.

    Jones subsequently requested his release from the UFC to continue his MMA career elsewhere, though the promotion has not granted that request. White has repeatedly referenced Jones’ arthritis issues when discussing the 38-year-old’s future, pointing to footage of Jones telling a fan about his hip condition.

    Potential Ngannou Fight

    Speculation about a potential matchup between Jones and Francis Ngannou has resurfaced as Ngannou prepares for his MMA return on May 16 on the MVP MMA Netflix card. Ngannou publicly supported Jones during his dispute with the UFC, with Jones acknowledging the gesture on social media.

    Despite the renewed interest in the fight, the UFC appears unlikely to release Jones from his contract. Jones’ training footage suggests he remains committed to competing again, though his path back to the octagon remains unclear.

  • Anderson Silva on UFC Settlement: ‘It’s Not Free Money — I Suffered a Lot for This’

    Anderson Silva on UFC Settlement: ‘It’s Not Free Money — I Suffered a Lot for This’

    UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva recently said that the UFC antitrust settlement money was anything but free — and he has a pointed message for fighters frustrated about pay in the current era.

    ‘Spider’ addressed both topics on The Ariel Helwani Show, revealing it was Jon Jones who first told him about the class action lawsuit during a shared training session.

    “When people are talking about that, I really don’t know. Jon Jones talked to me. One time I was training with Jon Jones, and Jon Jones told me about that. I said, ‘Bro, I don’t know. I think I go talk to Dana about that.’ And Jon Jones said, ‘That’s the truth.’ But this is not about UFC anymore — this matter happened, UFC has to pay. Check it out with your lawyer and with your team.”

    ‘It’s Not Free Money’

    When Helwani casually referred to the settlement as “free money,” Silva corrected him immediately and with conviction.

    “It’s not free money. I pay tax, but — remember — it’s not free money. This money is what the UFC needed to pay for everybody. For me it’s nothing free, because I suffered a lot for this money to come to my account.”

    Silva spent years as part of a class of fighters whose compensation was at the center of the UFC antitrust litigation. His framing — that the payout reflects wages owed, not a windfall — is a notable perspective from one of the sport’s all-time greats.

    His Advice to Fighters on Contracts

    Silva was measured but direct when asked about fighters who feel the UFC underpays them. His view: the contract you sign is the deal you agreed to, and fighters bear responsibility for understanding what they’re signing.

    “It’s very hard to say something — because when you sign the contract, when you see the deal, you sign the contract. You know the deal you worked. Your lawyer, your manager have to explain what you signed. Everybody knows I have my fight with Dana, but inside the ring I know it’s my work. I know how to work inside the ring. Outside is a business, and Dana worked for this business for many, many years. And the people, when they come sign the contract with UFC — they need to understand that and have your manager, have your lawyers, and stay ready to take the good decision.”

    He summed up his view of Dana White and UFC business in one line:

    “When you sign the contract, when you agree with everything in the contract, you can’t say nothing. Dana is Dana — he’s not personal, it’s business.”

    The comments land amid an active ongoing debate about fighter pay in the post-PPV Paramount era, with fighters across the roster raising questions about how compensation is structured now that the UFC’s revenue model has fundamentally shifted.

  • Francis Ngannou Backs Jon Jones, Teases Super Fight if Jones Leaves UFC

    Francis Ngannou Backs Jon Jones, Teases Super Fight if Jones Leaves UFC

    Francis Ngannou is throwing his support behind Jon Jones as the former heavyweight champion’s public fallout with the UFC intensifies.

    Ngannou took to X to back Jones, suggesting he deserves both his freedom and a massive payday — and teasing a potential super fight if Jones walks away from the promotion.

    “Watching this story unfold yesterday was very interesting. I have lots to say, but for now, Jonny boy, if you manage to get your freedom, then let me know,” Ngannou wrote. “You deserve that $30M+ after everything you’ve done for the sport, and they should be rolling out the RED CARPET for you.”

    Jones vs. White: The Dispute

    The post comes amid a heated public standoff between Jones and UFC CEO Dana White. At the UFC 326 post-fight press conference, White declared Jones was “never, ever, ever” a consideration for the high-profile UFC White House event, citing Jones’ hip arthritis and doubts about his ability to compete.

    White also stated he had sent a message to Jones’ lawyer explicitly saying a White House fight would “never happen, ever” — even as Jones publicly claimed he was in active negotiations for the card.

    Jones fired back, questioning whether the UFC wanted him to publicly agree that their negotiations were “complete bullshit.” He later posted — and then deleted — a statement requesting his release from the organization.

    “If the UFC genuinely believes I’m finished, then I would like to respectfully request my release from my contract,” Jones wrote.

    Ngannou’s Message Carries Weight

    Ngannou’s show of support is notable given his own well-publicized exit from the UFC in 2022 over financial disputes — a situation that closely mirrors what Jones is now experiencing. The Cameroonian powerhouse went on to sign with the PFL and pursue boxing, and his reference to Jones “getting his freedom” is a direct nod to that shared experience.

    The post immediately sparked speculation about a potential Ngannou vs. Jones super fight outside the UFC, should Jones secure his release.

    Whether Jones ultimately leaves or stays, the public pressure campaign is escalating — and having a fighter of Ngannou’s stature weigh in only amplifies the situation heading into what figures to be a pivotal stretch for both men.

  • Jon Jones Publicly Requests UFC Contract Release Following Dana White Dispute Over White House Card Snub

    Jon Jones Publicly Requests UFC Contract Release Following Dana White Dispute Over White House Card Snub

    Jon “Bones” Jones has formally requested his release from the UFC following a fiery public dispute with UFC CEO Dana White over his exclusion from the promotion’s highly anticipated White House event, scheduled for June 14, 2026.

    The fallout began Saturday night when, following UFC 326, White told reporters that Jones was “never, ever, ever” considered for the White House card, citing Jones’ hip arthritis, a prior retirement announcement, failed drug tests, and a general lack of trust. White claimed he had already sent a message to Jones’ legal team dismissing any possibility of him appearing on the card.

    Jones, 38, quickly fired back on X (formerly Twitter) with an initial wave of emotional, now-deleted posts that revealed the extent of his frustration. In those since-removed tweets, Jones appeared blindsided by White’s statements, writing “I’m released from the UFC?!!” and lamenting repeatedly that the situation was “how f***ing painful.” He also hinted that the UFC had privately pressured him to publicly accept White’s narrative — essentially asking Jones to be “the fall guy” by agreeing that no negotiations had ever taken place.

    After deleting that raw outburst, Jones composed himself and posted a lengthier formal statement on Monday. In it, Jones stated that his team had engaged in genuine contract negotiations with the UFC for the White House fight, that he had reduced his asking price, and that the offer he received in return was a lowball. He also pushed back on White’s hip arthritis claims, noting that arthritis being “painful” does not mean he cannot compete, and pointed out the logical inconsistency in White’s position: “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.”

    Jones revealed he had received stem cell treatment just last week to prepare for the fight and had training camp scheduled to begin Monday — the same day he posted his statement. He also disclosed that as recently as last Friday, the UFC had reached out to him about the White House card, but with an even lower financial offer than previously discussed.

    Closing his statement with an ultimatum, Jones wrote: “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. Bones out.”

    Jones last competed in November 2024, when he successfully defended the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Stipe Miocic. He briefly announced his retirement in 2025 before reversing course upon the announcement of the White House event. As of Monday evening, the UFC has not made any formal statement on Jones’ contract status, and industry insiders consider an outright release to be unlikely. UFC heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall has since publicly voiced his support for Jones amid the fallout.

    The UFC Freedom 250 White House card, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, is set for June 14, 2026, on Paramount.

  • Jon Jones Confirms Talks to Fight at UFC White House

    Jon Jones Confirms Talks to Fight at UFC White House

    After a whole saga, if both new reports and Jon Jones’ word hold, Jones will get his wish of competing at the UFC White House event.

    A report from Ariel Helwani approximately 24 hours ago claimed that Alex Pereira’s vacating of the UFC light heavyweight championship is due to him moving up to heavyweight. And with that, talks of a bout between him and Jones to serve as the UFC White House main event have been held.

    Hours following Helwani’s report, at a meet and greet at The Brook Casino in New Hampshire, Jones confirmed that he and the UFC have had discussions about competing at the White House.

    “I’m in negotiations with the UFC about this White House [fight] as well,” said Jones. “I’m a very proud American, and I cannot wait to represent one more time.”

    Jones was one of the earliest names who spoke up last summer when U.S. President Donald Trump first hinted at a UFC event taking place on the lawn of the White House.

    It had been just two weeks since Jones retired from the UFC, vacating the UFC heavyweight championship, which was then given to then-interim champion Tom Aspinall. Before the White House card announcement, it appeared to be the end of a year-plus-long saga of negotiations between Jones, Aspinall, and the UFC.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White has previously been on the record stating that he considers Jones vs. Aspinall as a “dream main event” for the card, but that he couldn’t trust Jones with the main event slot of the card.

    Jones returned to the UFC after a three-year layoff at UFC 285, defeating Ciryl Gane for the then-vacant heavyweight championship. He’s fought just once since, retaining the belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

    White has promised recently that fights for the White House card will be revealed in the coming days.

  • Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones “Being Discussed” For UFC White House

    Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones “Being Discussed” For UFC White House

    It appears that Alex Pereira’s next step will be seeking UFC gold at heavyweight, and that could come true in his next fight, which could be in the main event of the UFC White House card.

    In a new video regarding Pereira vacating the light heavyweight title, Ariel Helwani claims, as many have assumed, the reason for Pereira vacating the championship is that he is being allowed to move up to heavyweight.

    In addition, according to Helwani, there have been discussions about having Pereira vs. Jon Jones taking place as the featured bout of the UFC White House card — either for a would-be vacant heavyweight championship or an interim one.

    Helwani says that this fight is not a guarantee, and there’s not a lot of positive momentum about this fight taking place. It has, however, at least been talked about as a potential idea.

    “Alex Pereira is no longer the light heavyweight champion, and I can tell you right here and now that there have been some talks of him fighting Jon Jones,” Helwani said. “And there have been talks of him fighting Jon Jones on the White House card.

    “Jon Jones on the White House card is not dead, but I could tell you I don’t feel as of right now a ton of positive momentum in that direction. But I’m not here to tell you that it’s dead. There have been talks of this.”

    Helwani adds that if Pereira vs. Jones doesn’t get done, then there are discussions of Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane, for what Helwani assumes would be an interim heavyweight championship.

    Whether Pereira’s heavyweight debut features an undisputed or interim heavyweight title at stake will also depend on the status of champion Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has been sidelined with eye issues since he and Gane’s no-contest at UFC 321 in October.

    Jones has publicly hoped at the possibility of competing in front of U.S. President Donald Trump on the UFC White House card. Jones, in fact, ended his retirement after just two weeks when the opportunity first opened up.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White, however, has previously stated apprehension about Jones being involved in such a card.

    White has also stated he preferred Pereira to stay at light heavyweight, but his stance on that seems to have softened over time.

    Pereira is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He regained the 205-pound title in his last fight, knocking out Magomed Ankalaev in just over a minute at UFC 320.

    A heavyweight title win would make Pereira the first UFC fighter ever to win championships in three different weight classes.

    Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka will fight for the vacated light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327, which takes place on April 11 in Miami.