Mixed martial arts legend Jon Jones ended his retirement from 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 during UFC 326 this past weekend, Jones wasn’t among the fighters. As a result, he has requested a release from his UFC contract. 

White was candid when asked about Jones following the UFC 326 card. 

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"Never, ever, ever, which I told you guys a hundred thousands times, was Jon Jones ever even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House," White explained, per CBS Sports. "Some guy with Meta Glasses filmed him talking about his hips – that his hips are so bad. And I don’t know if you guys saw that flag football game where he can barely run. Jon Jones retired because of his hips. He’s got arthritis in his hips. Apparently, doctors say he should have a hip replacement."

White added that "the Jon Jones thing is bulls---," saying that he texted the fighter’s lawyer saying he would never be on the White House card despite Jones saying he was in negotiations for it. 

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The Meta Glasses incident White is referring to came from a viral video, where Jones, unaware he was being filmed, discussed issues with his hips to a fan. 

On Monday, Jones composed a thorough response to White’s comments about him and the White House Card. He previously posted and deleted social media explanations, but Monday’s appeared to be his final statement on the matter. 

"Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight," Jones, who retired a heavyweight champion in 2025, said. "So let me get this straight, 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. 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. After everything I’ve given to the UFC, the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m ‘done’ is disappointing. Especially when as recently as Friday UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number."

Jones finished his statement by saying he "respectfully" asks to be released from his UFC contract.

"No more spins, no more games. Thank you to the real fans who know what’s up," he wrote. 

The UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.

Jones is considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, owning a 28-1-1 record, which includes his last bout with Stipe Miocic, knocking him out to take the heavyweight title belt. He is also a two-time light heavyweight champion. 

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Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith opened up about the devastating comment from his father that changed his life and motivated his rise. 

Now a successful ESPN commentator and influential media voice, Smith once was told he would never amount to anything. He recalled the moment on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, saying he overheard his parents discussing his intelligence.

"My father said, ‘He's just not smart. You know he's not going to be anything, and you just need to accept that right now,’ and when my mother turned around and saw me seeing him say that, she was aghast," Smith told Hannity on the podcast's premiere. 

"She was appalled and all of that stuff, and he just shrugged his shoulders and turned around and walked away," he added.

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Smith revealed in his memoir "Straight Shooter" that he suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia and has spoken about his struggles with reading. While he was a talented speaker, reading comprehension remained a struggle. He told Hannity the cold comments from his father came after he was held back from advancing a grade in school for the second time.

"My mother thought that was going to [be] something that was incredibly devastating for me, and it hurt. I'm not denying that it did. But something inside of me just was motivated to prove him wrong," said Smith.

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He also revealed he was ridiculed by neighborhood kids for being held back in school.

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"That memory still stays with me because when I got left back the second time, and this time permanently held back for the whole year, I'm sitting on the back porch, and I'm crying because I'm being laughed at and ridiculed by the kids in the neighborhood because all kids can be very cruel," he said.

Smith was the first guest on Fox News anchor Sean Hannity’s new twice-weekly podcast, released Tuesday. Also on the podcast, Smith shut down rumors he may consider running for president in 2028.  

Speaking with Hannity, he said if he has to "give up money, it’s not happening." The Democrat also noted he would be willing to vote for Secretary of State Marco Rubio over some other prominent Democrats.