The undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is perhaps the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. The former long-reigning light heavyweight champion recently spat on social media with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
Jones is presumed to make his return to the octagon after an injury against the arguable GOAT of the UFC’s heavyweight division, Stipe Miocic. Miocic and Jones were supposed to headline the UFC 295 PPV at Madison Square Garden, but an unfortunate injury to Jones put a hold on the plan.
Is Jon Jones going to retire from UFC?
In a recent tweet on X, formerly Twitter, Jon Jones insinuated retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts. It needs to be noted that Jones was on a three-year hiatus after he vacated the light heavyweight title before coming back at UFC 285 to claim the vacant heavyweight title.
“What I refuse to do is be like a lot of these other fighters who stuck around too long,” tweeted Jones, alluding to his plans of retiring when he is in his prime and unlike fighters who stick on too long only to suffer brutal losses. Many elite fighters, like BJ Penn and Tony Ferguson, to name a few, suffered devastating consecutive losses by fighting past their primes.
What I refuse to do is be like a lot of these other fighters who stuck around too long. That just won’t happen. Your boy Bones Jones over here, despite what a lot of people may like to think. Ive set myself up pretty well in life. I want Stipe for my résumé, outside of that, I…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) January 9, 2024
“Ive set myself up pretty well in life,” Jones further tweeted, referencing that he is financially set, which is also another indication of his retirement. Despite these insinuations, Jones has not publicly announced his retirement, but many believe that the next fight will most certainly be.
Jones is still, to this day, the youngest champion in UFC history. He fought a murderers row during his reign as the undisputed champion in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Moreover, Jones had an intense rivalry with retired former two-division champion, Daniel Cormier, which made the two household names in combat sports.
When will Jon Jones return from injury to fight Stipe Miocic?
There has been no official confirmation from the UFC or Jon Jones about his return. However, when Jones suffered his pectoral injury, doctors gave him an eight-month rehabilitation period after surgery for his return. The chances are that Jones will return by the end of 2024, possibly at a Madison Square Garden PPV in November.
Jones’ opponent on his return is undoubtedly Stipe Miocic. Jones, Miocic, and the UFC are hell-bent on making the fight materialize, much to the dismay of interim champion Tom Aspinall. “I want Stipe for my résumé, outside of that, I need nothing else from this sport.”, tweeted Jones citing his intense desire to defeat the former two-time heavyweight champion.
Jones vs. Miocic is for sure a blockbuster PPV headliner with October, November, and December as the presumed dates for his return. The PPV in October is definitely in Abu Dhabi and that rules out Jones’ presence. With the UFC doing a PPV annually at the MSG in November and T-Mobile Arena in December, Jones might get the option to choose the event.
When do you think Jon Jones will return to the octagon? Leave your prediction below!
