Back in May, Jon Jones teased about his upcoming retirment. According to the GOAT himself, Stipe Miocic bout might just be his last.
After all he’s the only person to have stayed on the UFC throne for a decade.
Just two months after making a triumphant return to the UFC, Jon Jones was hinting at the possibility of retirement following a potential showdown with Stipe Miocic in November.
Jones, a longtime fixture in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, last defended his title in February 2020. He secured a controversial decision victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. Amidst negotiations and disputes with the organization, Jones decided to vacate his light heavyweight title and pursue a move to the heavyweight division.
His return to the Octagon at UFC 285 was nothing short of spectacular. Jones took just over two minutes to submit Ciryl Gane and claim the vacant UFC heavyweight championship. However, instead of dwelling on his recent success, Jones has already shifted his focus to a potential clash with Stipe Miocic.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Jones expressed his desire for a November showdown at New York’s Madison Square Garden. However, he also conveyed his willingness to contemplate retirement after the Miocic fight.
“I think the Stipe fight will be plenty for me,” Jones explained.
“I feel like I don’t have too much to prove after beating Stipe Miocic. I’ve been in the game for a long time. In fighter years, I’m an old guy. I’ve been training a long time and been in the game a long time. Got some small injuries. I just really want to be around. I want to be around for my family, be around for my kids. I want to be able to play with my kids, have a good head on my shoulders. … I could see it coming to an end really soon and I’m happy with that. I’m really proud of my career.”
Throughout his career, Jon Jones has been a dominant force in mixed martial arts, amassing a remarkable record of 27 wins and just one controversial disqualification loss in December 2009. However, he has often been his own worst enemy, facing legal issues and failing tests that led to multiple suspensions and the stripping of his light heavyweight title.
In January, UFC president Dana White announced that Jones had inked a new eight-fight deal with the promotion. This makes Jones’s contemplation of retirement less than four months later somewhat surprising to many.
But BJJ star, Gordon Ryan, may have inadvertantly leaked the news of Jones’ retirement following their last training session.
Ryan posted on instagram:
Ryan went on to quickly edit the caption:
