Jon Jones has announced that he has hung up his gloves and is retiring from fighting. Jones stated that 'fighter Jon Jones is no more' and that he will now focus solely on being a businessman. The announcement was part of a summary of recent MMA news. No context was provided about whether this is a genuine retirement or a negotiating tactic. The post also included other news items about Paulo Costa struggling to make 93 kg after previously fighting at 84 kg, and Merab Dvalishvili planning two more fights this year despite a broken nose.
Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats, has declared his career over, stating that "fighter Jon Jones is no more" and that he intends to pivot entirely to life as a businessman.
Jones, 38, retires with a professional record of 28-1-0 and a physical profile that long defined his dominance — a six-foot-four frame and an 84-inch reach that gave him advantages few opponents could neutralize. Fighting out of an orthodox stance, he averaged 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy across his career, while also threatening consistently on the ground with 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes. No context has been provided on whether the announcement signals a genuine permanent departure or carries any strategic undertone.
Elsewhere in recent MMA news, Paulo Costa is reportedly struggling to make 93 kilograms after previously competing at 84 kilograms. The Brazilian middleweight, ranked 13th in his division at 35 years old, carries a 16-4-0 record and one of the most aggressive output rates in the sport at 6.26 significant strikes per minute. A move up in weight class would represent a significant transition for a fighter whose entire identity has been built around punishing, high-volume striking.
Also generating attention is Merab Dvalishvili, who has indicated he plans to compete twice more in 2026 despite dealing with a broken nose. The Georgian bantamweight holds a 21-5-0 record, sits ranked first in his division, and is second in the pound-for-pound rankings. At 35, Dvalishvili remains one of the most relentless wrestlers in the UFC, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes — a figure that places him in a category of his own at 135 pounds.
Why it matters
- Jones retiring removes the most decorated heavyweight from the active roster, leaving the division's title picture open
- Costa's weight situation could signal a future move to light heavyweight
- Dvalishvili pressing forward despite injury underlines his push to remain a dominant force at bantamweight
