Jon Jones declared he has hung up his gloves, stating that fighter Jon Jones no longer exists and only businessman Jon Jones remains. Paulo Costa shifted his stance, saying he hates Russian fighters and plans to add another to his record after facing his current opponent, with Khamzat Chimaev potentially third on his list. Costa's team posted video showing him struggling to make 93 kg, despite previously competing at 84 kg. Josh Hokit broke character after a cringe promotional segment, immediately switching to a normal tone and apologizing to those present. Merab Dvalishvili plans to fight twice more this year despite suffering a broken nose.
Jon Jones declared this week that his fighting career is over, framing the announcement in blunt terms: the fighter known as Bones no longer exists, and only the businessman version of himself remains.
Jones, 38, finishes with a record of 28-1-0 and stands as one of the most decorated heavyweights in UFC history. The six-foot-four Orthodox striker, carrying an 84-inch reach, averaged 4.38 significant strikes per minute across his career at a 58 percent accuracy rate, and added consistent wrestling pressure with 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Separately, Paulo Costa has made clear he has Russians on his mind. The 35-year-old Brazilian middleweight said he hates Russian fighters and intends to add another to his win column after his current opponent, naming Khamzat Chimaev as a potential third target. Costa carries a 16-4-0 record and ranks thirteenth in the middleweight division. He is one of the division's most aggressive strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. The added attention to his weight came from footage posted by his team showing him struggling to reach 93 kg, a notable development given he previously competed at 84 kg.
Chimaev, the top-ranked middleweight at 15-1-0, would represent a steep climb for Costa. The 32-year-old based out of the UAE averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempts 1.8 submissions in the same span, making him a markedly different challenge from the pure strikers Costa typically faces.
Also in the news, Josh Hokit dropped the act mid-promotional segment, immediately shifting to a relaxed, normal tone and offering an apology to those present after what was described as a cringe-worthy exchange.
Why it matters
- Jones's retirement, if confirmed, leaves the heavyweight division without its most recent dominant figure
- Costa calling out Chimaev sets up a potential top-of-the-division clash between the thirteenth-ranked striker and the number-one contender
- The weight footage adds fresh scrutiny to Costa's long-running issues making middleweight
- Merab Dvalishvili, nursing a broken nose, has stated he intends to compete twice more before the year ends
