Jon Jones walks back retirement confirmation: ‘I feel really good physically’

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Jon Jones reacts on stage during the UFC 309 press conference at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Jon Jones didn’t take long to reverse course on his latest retirement comments. This past weekend, Jones told Red Corner MMA, “My gloves are hung up… no more fighter Jon Jones,” which seemed to signal that the 38-year-old former two-division UFC champion had made up his mind about not competing again.

However, that wasn’t the first time Jones has confirmed a retirement. UFC CEO Dana White and Jones declared his fighting days were over this past June only for Jones to change his mind when the possibility of fighting at UFC White House presented itself. Now, he’s done it again.

“We had that conversation tonight,” Jones said at a Dirty Boxing event in Miami on Friday, after speaking to UFC CBO Hunter Campbell. “Yeah, we did have that conversation. I took a stem cell right before the White House card was created, and I’m starting to feel the effects of that stem cell, I feel really good physically.

” Jones has previously pointed to issues with “severe arthritis” that have hindered his comeback attempts, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing a spot on the UFC White House card. Unfortunately for Jones, he was eventually left off of the June 14 lineup, prompting him to publicly ask the UFC to release him. It’s unclear if Jones’ chat with Campbell is a sign of any progress or if Jones simply keeping his options open as he has for several years since his most recent fight in November 2024.