Jon Jones surprised fans again by softening his retirement stance after saying his body feels better following stem-cell treatment. He also says he plans to focus on coaching for now.
Jones reopens possibility of fighting
Jones posted a short video on social media on April 10 saying he had “hung up his gloves.” Later that same night, while appearing at the Dirty Boxing 6 event, he spoke with UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell and left the door open to a return.
He told people he is feeling improvements in his body after a stem-cell treatment he received before the planning of the White House card. “I’m starting to feel the effects of that stem cell, I feel really good physically,” Jones said.
Health issues and retirement timeline
Jones has said arthritis has been a major problem that made it hard to keep fighting. That issue appeared to help spark his formal retirement in June 2025. In that same month, UFC leadership announced Jones as retired and awarded the undisputed UFC heavyweight title to then-interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Jones has shifted weight classes and timelines in recent years. After three years away from the Octagon following his long run at light heavyweight in the 2010s, he moved up to heavyweight at UFC 285 and defeated Ciryl Gane to win the then-vacant heavyweight title. He last fought at UFC 309, where he defeated Stipe Miocic.
Jones had been scheduled to fight Miocic earlier at UFC 295, the night Tom Aspinall won the interim title, but Jones pulled out with a torn pectoral muscle.
Card decisions and the White House event
When a U.S. presidential event was being planned that later became UFC Freedom 250, Jones changed his stance on retirement briefly. He was not placed on that White House card and was disappointed to be left off. The interim heavyweight fight on that card featured Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.
Coaching Gable Steveson is the priority
For now, Jones says his main focus is coaching Gable Steveson. Steveson is a former NCAA wrestling champion who is 3-0 as a professional. He is scheduled to fight at RAF 9 on May 30.
Jones told officials he does not want pressure to make a quick decision on returning. “I want to focus on coaching Gable right now,” he said. “But who knows what the future holds?”
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Jon Jones | Defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 |
| Ciryl Gane | Lost to Jon Jones at UFC 285 (for then-vacant heavyweight title) |
| Tom Aspinall | Was interim heavyweight champion; awarded undisputed title in June 2025 |
| Gable Steveson | 3-0 as a pro; set to fight at RAF 9 on May 30 |
It remains unclear if or when Jones will return to the Octagon. For now, his improved physical feeling and his role as a coach give fans something new to watch for in the coming months.
