Jon Jones has found an unexpected ally in his push to get out of his UFC contract, with a former UFC CFO backing his request.
The two-weight world champion was noticeably upset after the UFC White House card was revealed without him on the line-up.
Dana White did not help matters either, doubling down on comments that there was never any plan for ‘Bones’ to be part of the event.
In response, Jones formally asked to be released from his contract, and Nakisa Bidarian – co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions – chimed in on social media with a tongue-in-cheek message urging UFC to let him go.
Nakisa Bidarian says UFC should allow Jon Jones to move on
Following Jones’ lengthy statement, Bidarian, the former UFC CFO and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, shared his thoughts on X.
Few people have a better understanding of the business than Bidarian, and he and Jake Paul are set to promote their first MMA event in Los Angeles on 16 May.
Their debut show will feature Ronda Rousey’s return against fellow legend Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome, broadcast on Netflix. The co-main event includes lineal heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou facing Phillipe Lins.
The possibility of finally seeing Ngannou vs. Jones outside the UFC is likely a big reason why White’s promotion will not let him go. The super-fight has been teased for years but never materialised due to various obstacles.
Bidarian wrote on X: “UFC should release Jon Jones. He’s done. Bad hip. Let him go make a few dollars somewhere else with his bad hip. Only fair for a guy who has given his whole career to one organization but now clear he is not fit enough to compete for them.”
The mention of Jones’ hip refers to White’s repeated claims that he has arthritis, which came out earlier this year in a covert recording. However, in his statement, ‘Bones’ said he was undergoing stem cell treatment to manage the pain and still intends to fight again.
