Jon Jones declared he has hung up his gloves and the fighter Jon Jones no longer exists, saying only businessman Jon Jones remains. Paulo Costa changed his stance on Russian fighters, stating he hates them and that his upcoming opponent will be the second Russian in a row on his record, with Khamzat Chimaev planned as the third. Video emerged from Costa's team showing him struggling significantly to make 93 kilograms, a notable jump from his previous 84-kilogram weight class. Josh Hokit broke character after a cringe-worthy media appearance, immediately apologizing in a normal tone once filming stopped. Merab Dvalishvili plans to fight twice more this year despite suffering a broken nose.
