Summary
Jon Jones Celebrates victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/jonnybones
Following the news about his hip arthritis, Jon Jones He came forward to speak about the case in a statement issued by TMZ Sports last Wednesday (4). Far from playing the victim or remaining retired, the former light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) champion took the opportunity to reaffirm his desire to compete in the numbered White House event, scheduled for June.
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The former fighter acknowledged that he does indeed have a chronic and serious hip injury, the result of many years dedicated to combat sports. He also stated that UFC officials are aware of the problem, but made it clear that he is able to compete this year under special conditions.
“The UFC knows how serious my arthritis is. They also know that if I risked everything one last time and endured this level of pain, the reward had to be something special, something more than a fat paycheck. For me, that reward was and still is the White House,” Bones stated.
???? Jon Jones reveals that the UFC knows about his “severe arthritis”, and says it won't stop him from competing at the UFC White House event 👀
“Looks like a private conversation I had at DBX 5 in Houston made its way out into the wild. It happens. Like most fighters, we deal… https://t.co/D1QbkB6Of5 pic.twitter.com/FBPVmKlnxa
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 4, 2026
“Regardless of whether this fight happens or not, my career has been memorable and nothing short of legendary. I left a big part of myself in that octagon and I’m grateful for every bit of it. And make no mistake, I’m still going to beat 99% of you in there. I’m still lifting impressive weights in the squat. I’m still training. I’m still pushing myself harder than most of you… just maybe after a proper warm-up and a good stretch,” he concluded.
Check out Jon Jones' full statement.
Jon Jones at an event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/jonnybones
"It seems a private conversation I had at DBX 5 in Houston leaked. It happens. Like most wrestlers, we deal with injuries in silence sometimes, and, as in my case, for years. Many of us limp almost every day, paying the ultimate price for our health."
If you're wondering if it's true, it is. I'm grateful for all my battle scars, and if I could do it all again, I would without hesitation. That's why I wake up every day of my career.
Even after becoming one of the most celebrated fighters in the history of the sport, my critics still attack me for slowing down in recent years. That's called living to fight another day, taking the lessons learned and applying them to business instead of the octagon. That's called evolution.
The UFC knows how serious my arthritis is. They also know that if I risked everything one last time and endured this level of pain, the reward had to be something special, something more than a fat paycheck. For me, that reward was and still is the White House.
Regardless of whether that fight happens or not, my career has been memorable and nothing short of legendary. I left a huge part of myself in that octagon and I'm grateful for every bit of it. And make no mistake, I'm still going to beat 99% of you in there. I'm still lifting impressive weights in the squat. I'm still training. I'm still pushing myself harder than most of you… just maybe after a proper warm-up and a good stretch.
God bless you. Jon Jones".
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