A public dispute between John Jones and UFC CEO Dana White escalated on Monday, with Jones mentioning the possibility of his release from the UFC.

Over the past few months, Jones had expressed great interest in appearing at the UFC live event at the White House on June 14. However, when the promotion announced the card on Saturday, Jones was an obvious exclusion. After the announcement, White said Jones was never seriously considered for the event and is retired.

On Monday, Jones, who retired from the sport in 2025 but quickly changed his mind due to the planned White House event, accused the organization of downplaying him in contract negotiations.

“Dana, you’re mad because I’m not on the White House card, but let’s get something straight,” Jones wrote in X. “My team and I were negotiating with the UFC for that fight. Real negotiations. I even went down from my original number, and what did they offer me in return? They underestimated me.

“If the UFC truly feels I’m done, then I respectfully ask to be released from my contract today.”

Jones, 38, also sought to clear up any questions about his health. Last month, a video surfaced online of Jones acknowledging that he has arthritis in his left hip and has been informed that he will need a hip replacement. White has indicated that he took that video as evidence that Jones should never fight again.

“Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight,” Jones wrote in Monday’s post. “Let me get this straight: If I had accepted the lowball offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I would be on the White House billboard? That doesn’t make sense.”

Jones, widely considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time, has not fought since recording his only heavyweight title defense, when he defeated. Miocic Stipe in November 2024.