UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones remains uncertain about whether he will step back into the octagon to compete or officially hang up his gloves for good.
Jones, who successfully defended his heavyweight title by dominating Stipe Miocic last November, has been frequently linked to a potential fight against interim champion Tom Aspinall. However, there has been little concrete movement towards scheduling this highly anticipated matchup. Aspinall has openly voiced his frustration regarding the delays and lack of clarity surrounding Jones` plans, and Jones` recent remarks are likely to increase that aggravation.
“I don’t know what life holds as far as fighting and competing,” Jones told Vic Blends when asked about potentially having “one more rodeo.” He added, “I do feel like I’ll be a lifelong martial artist whether I’m coaching others or taking exhibition matches and things like that. There’s a lot of great competition still in the UFC.”
Jones views himself as more than just a fighter and believes his position offers him greater flexibility, such as the ability to step away and potentially return, unlike many other athletes.
Previously, Jones indicated on social media that the UFC was fully aware of his future intentions and expressed surprise that the promotion hadn`t publicly disclosed them. More recently, he traveled to Thailand to participate in filming a reality show, but this has provided no clear indication of his potential return to fighting.
There have been numerous calls for the UFC to strip Jones of his heavyweight title. However, since he has not explicitly announced his retirement, it is improbable the promotion would take such action, especially considering he has only been inactive for six months.
Based on his latest comments, Jones does not appear to be in a hurry to return to active competition anytime soon.
Speaking about 2025, Jones stated, “Right now I’m just focusing on love, happiness, kindness… This year I’m saying yes to more opportunities. I’m traveling more. I’m consciously being kinder to people and that’s just the way of my mind right now is just love and kindness and peace and focusing on family and focusing on me, my aura.”
Outside of the sport, Jones is exploring new avenues, including acting, which is something he has long aspired to do. He finds this transition enjoyable and appreciates adding non-MMA related roles to his resume while still serving as a mentor to emerging fighters.
“Just trying to be the best businessman I can be,” Jones explained. “I’m trying to prove to myself I can be great in more than one field. I try to be really good on camera with acting next.”
He also aims to inspire others and assist younger UFC fighters, guiding them away from the pitfalls he encountered concerning pay, endorsements, and avoiding exploitative individuals, often referred to as “leeches.” His goal is to be a strong mentor to the new generation.
Regardless of what the future holds for his competitive career, Jones believes his passion for martial arts will remain. However, it is still uncertain whether this means he will step back into the cage for one final bout.
“I’ll always love MMA,” Jones affirmed. “Somehow the universe made me one of the best at it so I’ll always love it. I’ll always love it.”
Wesley Dunham