Jon Jones has declared that he has hung up his gloves and the fighter Jon Jones no longer exists. He stated that only the businessman Jon Jones remains going forward. This announcement comes amid ongoing speculation about potential future fights, including a long-discussed bout with Tom Aspinall. The post also includes several other UFC updates, including Johnny Walker giving Jiri Prochazka a surprise gift before his daughter's birth, and Paulo Costa making weight at 93 kg with difficulty despite previously competing at 84 kg. Costa also stated he hates Russian fighters and plans to add Azamat Murzakanov to his record. Details are limited regarding the context and seriousness of Jones's retirement claim.
Jon Jones declared on Friday that his career as a fighter is over, announcing via social media that "the fighter Jon Jones no longer exists" and that only the businessman version of himself remains going forward.
Jones, 38, retires with a 28-1-0 professional record and a reputation as one of the most physically imposing competitors the sport has ever produced. Standing six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, the Orthodox-stance heavyweight posted a career striking accuracy of 58 percent alongside 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect the suffocating, multi-dimensional style he brought to every bout. His announcement arrives amid long-running public speculation about an undisputed heavyweight title clash with Tom Aspinall, a fight that now appears dead in the water if Jones holds to his word. Details around the context and seriousness of the retirement claim remain limited.
Elsewhere in the same batch of UFC news, light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka received a surprise gift from fellow 205-pounder Johnny Walker ahead of the birth of Prochazka's daughter. The Czech fighter carries a 32-6-1 record, holds the number-two divisional ranking at light heavyweight, and lands an eye-catching 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy — outputs that have made him one of the most electric finishers in the weight class at age 33.
Why it matters
- Jones retiring would remove the biggest name from the heavyweight division and leave the Aspinall superfight permanently unresolved.
- Prochazka's personal milestone coincides with a period where he remains firmly in title contention at light heavyweight.
- Paulo Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4-0 record, drew attention by reportedly struggling to make 93 kg despite previously competing at 84 kg, and publicly targeting Azamat Murzakanov while also stating he holds a strong dislike of Russian fighters — comments likely to generate divisional friction.
