
A recently disclosed document for the UFC antitrust case has revealed how annoyed UFC executives were by Jon Jones over his demands in his contract.
The text messages were between current UFC CEO Dana White and former CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. The two were discussing the next match of Jones for his 205-pound belt, which the company wants to be against Alexander Gustafsson. However, “Bones” wanted to have Daniel Cormier as his opponent. Additionally, the promotion wanted to sign Jones to extend his contract, but the fighter refused to do it until his demands were met, including a pay rise.
Needless to say, the two UFC executives were unhappy about it. The two then discussed the matter, calling the fighter with different insults along the way:
White: What’s up with Jones? Did he straighten up or is he still being a scumbag?
Fertitta: Still a douche, but we’re inching closer. Haven’t moved on money, but sent the letter with an ultimatum.
White: Awesome. F*** that punk, Lorenzo. He needs to know we don’t need him, or he will f*** us over more than he already does.
Even before then, the sour relationship between the company and Jones was not new. Prior to the situation above, White also expressed dislike for the fighter after a fight was canceled between him and Chael Sonnen at UFC 151. After this, White and Jones traded barbs between 2020 and 2023 over the promotion’s plan to set up the fighter with Francis Ngannou.
The UFC and Jones remain silent for comment about the matter, but the conversation is now one of the main materials being used to prove the company is trying to lock talents, which ultimately affects the pay rates and competition in the industry.