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Jon Jones wants the UFC to put up or shut up. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Jones asks for UFC 'release' in NSFW Twitter thread

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/29/20

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones isn't loving his employment situation these days.

Late Thursday night into early Friday morning , the 32-year-old seen by many as the most talented professional mixed martial arts competitor in history unleashed a Twitter rant about UFC boss Dana White allegedly not paying Jones to move up to the heavyweight division for a fight versus Francis Ngannou.

White responded to Jones' tirade during an appearance on ESPN's "First Take" Friday morning and said "he was asking for an obscene amount of money. And if Jon Jones wants to speak publicly and say what the number was, that's up to him."

Dana White on First Take (@FirstTake) this morning: Let me just put it this way. Jon Jones wasn't asking for $5 million more dollars; he was asking for an obscene amount of money. And if Jon Jones wants to speak publicly and say what the number was, that's up to him.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 29, 2020

This was not the message "Bones" wanted to see or hear ahead of his weekend.

Friday afternoon, Jones returned to Twitter and challenged White via a Twitter thread that included some NSFW language:

If you’re going to stick to these lies, I’m going to stick to defending myself. Please have your lawyer Hunter Campbell release those text messages.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

"I don’t need this bull---- Dana," Jones added. "I never asked for Diante Wilder‘s numbers. And how about since Diante is making 30 million, we settle for half of that. Since you said I’m the goat and everything."

White called Jones the greatest of all-time while speaking with ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Thursday:

"There's no debate. Jon Jones is the GOAT."@danawhite explains why he believes @JonnyBones is the best to ever do it (via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/ABxVlsVLFP
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 28, 2020

Jones went on to say that White and the UFC should release him if the company won't match the champion's valuation regarding what he can offer in pay-per-view buys and other revenue:

I don’t even make half of half of what Diante Wilder makes. If my reputation causes you to undervalue me this much. Just go ahead and release me from my @Ufc contract altogether. I’m sure some promoter somewhere will be more than happy to pick me up.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

And if I wanted to compare money to someone else, I would compare money to my brothers. I see firsthand the way the NFL treats their champion athletes, there’s a huge difference. I’ve kept my mouth shut my entire career.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

Do I make 5+ per fight yes. Should I stick to that number for my super fights? No. If you don’t agree with me you just don’t know business. I certainly didn’t ask for 30, never even threw out a number.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

Jones last competed in the octagon on February 8 when he successfully defended his title via a unanimous decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. 14 of the 21 media members named on MMA Decisions scored the contest 48-47 in favor of Reyes.

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