Multiple MMA storylines emerged from recent events and statements. Jon Jones declared his fighting career over, stating "I hung up my gloves, fighter Jon Jones is gone, now only businessman Jon Jones." Paulo Costa is reportedly struggling significantly to make 93 kg, with his team posting video of the difficult weight cut, notable since he previously competed at 84 kg. Costa also made inflammatory comments about Russian fighters, saying he hates them and targeting Chimaev after his current opponent. Josh Hockit was caught breaking character immediately after filming ended, apologizing in a normal tone for his antics. Merab Dvalishvili plans to fight twice more this year despite his broken nose. The ceremonial weigh-ins saw strong showings from Ulberg and Prochazka.
Jon Jones has declared his professional fighting career finished, Paulo Costa is battling to make a new weight class while stirring controversy, and several other fighters made headlines in a busy week of MMA news.
Jones, nicknamed "Bones," made the announcement directly, saying he had hung up his gloves and that fighter Jon Jones is gone, leaving only businessman Jon Jones. The 38-year-old American carries a career record of 28-1-0 and stands six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach. One of the most decorated heavyweights in UFC history, Jones posted 58 percent striking accuracy and averaged 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career — numbers that underline the all-around threat he brought to every fight.
Paulo Costa, the Brazilian middleweight ranked 13th in his division, is generating headlines for a different reason. At 35 years old with a record of 16-4-0, Costa built his reputation at 84 kg, but his team recently posted video of him struggling heavily to reach 93 kg — a weight class he is moving up to rather than down to, raising questions about the toll of the cut. Costa also made pointed remarks targeting Russian fighters as a group, specifically naming Khamzat Chimaev as a future opponent once his current matchup is settled.
Elsewhere, Josh Hockit was caught on camera immediately dropping his aggressive persona the moment filming wrapped, apologizing in a calm, measured tone that stood in stark contrast to his on-screen behavior. Merab Dvalishvili confirmed plans to compete twice more before the year ends, despite carrying a broken nose. The ceremonial weigh-ins also produced strong physical showings from Jiri Prochazka and Dustin Poirier's opponent on the card. Prochazka, the 33-year-old Czech contender ranked second in the light heavyweight division, stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Jones's retirement, if confirmed, creates a significant void at the top of the heavyweight division
- Costa's weight struggles at 93 kg and his verbal targeting of Chimaev signal a potential superfight push
- Prochazka's physical presence at the weigh-ins reinforces his standing as a top-two light heavyweight threat
