UFC commentator Joe Rogan took Jon Jones’ side in the former UFC heavyweight champion’s back-and-forths with Dana White.
One of the biggest storylines in Mixed Martial Arts so far in 2026 is former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ snub from a spot on the upcoming White House card. Jones, who announced his retirement from MMA last summer before flipping the script weeks later, was allegedly in talks to fight Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 before being allegedly ‘lowballed’ by the promotion.
Jones has since publicly called for his release from the UFC amidst an ongoing feud with UFC CEO Dana White, who repeatedly dismissed the idea of Jones returning in Washington D.C. At the recent UFC London post-fight press conference, White doubled down on his claims that Jones was never in the mix to fight at UFC Freedom 250, despite Jones’ contrarian remarks.
According to Jones, he was offered $15 million to fight at UFC Freedom 250, a 50% pay cut from his alleged offer from the UFC to fight then-interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall in 2025. Joe Rogan, who recently counseled Jones on his severe hip arthritis, agrees with Jones’ stance that he was ‘lowballed’ by the promotion.
Joe Rogan: ‘Kind of crazy’ Jon Jones was only offered $15 million for WH return
In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan weighed in on the latest details of the Jones/UFC feud.
“It was a money thing. Jon was saying they wouldn’t budge over $15 million,” Rogan said of Jones.
“This is for an interim title. If he was going to get $30 million to fight Aspinall, half of that is kind of crazy. He’s the greatest of all time, and he’s gonna make the White House card.
“If he makes the White House card, you’re like, ‘Oh s—! Jon Jones is back.’” Rogan continued. “The whole card completely changes.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
UFC Freedom 250 is headlined by an undisputed UFC lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. Jones hasn’t fought since defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
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