‘Paying the ultimate price’ – Jon Jones reveals ‘severe’ health issue he’s dealt with for years

Jon Jones has shockingly detailed his experience of dealing with ‘severe arthritis’ after a leaked private conversation went viral.

The 38-year-old is currently preparing for a fighting return in the hope of earning a spot on the UFC’s historic White House card.

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‘Bones’ reversed his decision to retire in the wake of the UFC White House announcement, which is expected to take place on June 14 — US President Donald Trump’s birthday — to celebrate America 250.

Although UFC president Dana White has put the odds of the American featuring at ‘a billion-to-one’, Jones has pleaded with his boss multiple times to be included on the one-of-a-kind card.

However, MMA fans were shocked to learn this week that Jones may have to overcome serious adversity to get back in the Octagon for one last dance.

Jon Jones reveals ‘severe arthritis’ in leaked conversation

Unbeknownst to the former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, a private chat with UFC welterweight Joaquin Buckley at DBX 5 last month was recorded.

Jones is asked if he would wrestle Daniel Cormier under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner amid the pair coaching alongside one another on a Russian MMA reality TV show.

This is when the American reveals his arthritis issues, which he has since been forced to confirm after the conversation was leaked.

“I have severe arthritis, and most people don’t know that,” Jones said.

“My left hip is covered in arthritis. I actually already qualify for a hip replacement.

“[In] my last training camp, I went to bed in so much pain — I have a three-year-old baby boy, and I want to use what I’ve got left in my hips to play with [him].”

Jones last fought Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024, retiring seven months later after months of talk about a potential clash with current heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

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Reacting to the viral video of his arthritis diagnosis, Jones has now seemingly suggested that the only path that will lead to his return is through a fight at the White House.

“It happens,” Jones told TMZ Sports, referring to the leaked conversation.

“Like most fighters, we deal with injuries quietly sometimes and like in my case, for years.

“A lot of us walk around limping most days, paying the ultimate price for our health.

“If you’re wondering whether it’s true, it is… Even after becoming one of the most accomplished fighters in the history of the sport, my critics still give me grief about slowing down over the past few years.

“That’s called living to fight another day, taking the lessons learned and applying them to business instead of the Octagon. It’s called evolution.

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“The UFC knows the extent of my arthritis. They also know that if I were to put it all on the line one last time and endure that level of pain, the reward would have to be something special and something more than a fat payday.

“For me, that was and is still the White House.”

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is the frontrunner to welcome Jones back to MMA.

Pereira called out ‘Bones’ after reclaiming the title at 205lbs at UFC 320, and the pair have since gone back and forth over a potential super-fight.