Jon Jones remains uncertain about whether he will fight again or permanently retire from the sport.
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion, whose last fight was a dominant victory over Stipe Miocic in November for his first title defense, has been linked to a potential bout against Tom Aspinall for months. However, little progress has been made in scheduling this fight. Aspinall has repeatedly voiced frustration over the delays and uncertainty, and Jones` latest remarks are likely to amplify his annoyance.
When asked by Vic Blends if fans could anticipate “one more rodeo,” Jones stated, “I don’t know what life holds as far as fighting and competing.” He added that he feels he will be a lifelong martial artist, possibly through coaching or exhibition matches. He acknowledged there is still significant competition within the UFC.
Jones sees himself as more than just a fighter and believes his current standing provides him with more options than other fighters, including the ability to step away and potentially return.
In earlier social media posts, Jones mentioned the UFC is fully aware of his future plans and expressed surprise that the promotion hadn`t yet disclosed them publicly. More recently, Jones traveled to Thailand to film a reality show similar to *The Ultimate Fighter*, but this hasn`t provided any clearer indication about a potential return to fighting.
Despite numerous calls for the UFC to strip Jones of his heavyweight title, it remains unlikely the promotion would do so. This is because he hasn`t definitively stated he won`t fight again, and he has only been inactive for six months.
Based on his recent statements, however, Jones doesn`t seem to be in a hurry to return to the octagon.
Reflecting on 2025, which he referred to as the “quarter-century mark,” Jones said, “Right now I’m just focusing on love, happiness, kindness… This year should be a really special year.” He added that he`s saying yes to more opportunities, traveling more, and consciously striving to be kinder to people. His current mindset is centered on love, kindness, peace, family, and focusing on himself and his “aura.”
Outside of the sport, Jones is exploring different ventures, including acting, something he has always wanted to pursue. He finds this transition enjoyable and appreciates adding roles to his resume that are not strictly tied to MMA, while still serving as a mentor to younger fighters.
“Just trying to be the best businessman I can be,” Jones stated. “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 aims to inspire others and guide fellow UFC fighters on areas where he made mistakes, such as pay, endorsements, and identifying exploitative individuals (“leeches”). He aspires to be a great mentor to the rising generation of fighters, helping them “make it to heaven.”
Jones believes he will always maintain a passion for the sport, regardless of future decisions. However, it remains uncertain if this means he will step into the cage one final time.
“I’ll always love MMA,” Jones concluded. “Somehow the universe made me one of the best at it so I’ll always love it. I’ll always love it.”
