Jon Jones has announced his retirement from fighting, stating he has hung up his gloves and will now focus solely on being a businessman. Paulo Costa's team released footage showing him struggling to make 93 kg, a significant increase from his usual 84 kg fighting weight, ahead of his bout with Azamat Murzakanov. Costa also made inflammatory comments about Russian fighters, promising to defeat Murzakanov and calling out Khamzat Chimaev next. Additionally, Merab Dvalishvili plans to fight twice more this year despite suffering a broken nose. Johnny Walker surprised Jiri Prochazka with a gift related to his daughter's upcoming birth, and both fighters were featured at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Jon Jones has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, declaring that he has hung up his gloves and will redirect his focus entirely toward business pursuits. The news arrives alongside a pair of notable storylines from the fight card featuring Paulo Costa and Azamat Murzakanov, as well as updates from Merab Dvalishvili and the light heavyweight division.
Jones, 38, finishes his career with a record of 28-1-0, having competed at six-foot-four and carrying an 84-inch reach — among the longest in heavyweight history. His 58 percent striking accuracy and 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes underscored the layered, unpredictable game that defined his run as one of the sport's most decorated competitors.
Paulo Costa's camp has drawn attention ahead of his upcoming bout with Azamat Murzakanov after footage surfaced showing the Brazilian struggling to reach 93 kg — a notable jump from his usual fighting weight of 84 kg. Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight, carries a 16-4-0 record and lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute with 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most aggressive volume punchers. The 35-year-old also made pointed remarks directed at Russian fighters, vowing to beat Murzakanov before calling out Khamzat Chimaev.
Elsewhere, Merab Dvalishvili has indicated he intends to compete twice more before the year is out, even after sustaining a broken nose. At the ceremonial weigh-ins, light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka — ranked second in the division with a 32-6-1 record — received an unexpected gift from Johnny Walker connected to the birth of Prochazka's daughter. The Czech fighter, six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, averages 5.69 significant strikes per minute and has long been regarded as one of the most dynamic offensive threats at 205 pounds.
Why it matters
- Jones retiring creates a significant void at heavyweight, with divisional succession now an open question
- Costa's weight management issues and inflammatory comments raise the stakes around his Murzakanov bout
- Dvalishvili's plan to fight twice more this year could reshape the bantamweight title picture
