After just two weeks of retirement, Jon Jones, the former UFC heavyweight champion, may be making a significant comeback. The MMA legend vacated his title and stepped away from the octagon but announced on Friday via X that he has re-entered the anti-doping testing pool. “Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted for about two weeks,” he stated. “Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open.” This sudden change in direction is noteworthy because UFC regulations require a minimum six-month testing period before a fighter can compete, indicating that Jones might be eyeing a return as early as 2026.
Jones, who is now 37 years old, stunned the MMA world on June 21 when UFC President Dana White announced, “Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.” At that moment, the announcement dashed hopes for a highly anticipated title-unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall. The fight had been on hold for months, leading many to accuse Jones of avoiding a confrontation with Aspinall.
Aspinall had persistently called out Jones, seeking clarity and consistency regarding their potential matchup. Dana White had previously confirmed that the bout was “100 percent” booked, even setting a date, before Jones's unexpected retirement. White described the decision-making timeline as “crazy” when Jones hinted at vacating the title. Following Jones's departure, Aspinall was elevated to full heavyweight champion, a title he still proudly holds.
Interestingly, just one day before Jones hinted at his return, Aspinall indicated he had a date and an opponent for his next fight, although it remains unclear if that opponent will be Jones. Jones's last fight was a decisive TKO victory over former champion Stipe Miocic in November, leaving his record at an impressive 28-1, with 11 knockouts and seven submissions. If he does indeed make a comeback, he will have the opportunity to further enhance his already remarkable tally.
As the situation unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Jon Jones can make a successful return to the octagon after a brief hiatus. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story in the world of UFC.
