Jon Jones announced that he has hung up his gloves and the fighter Jon Jones no longer exists. Jones stated he is now solely focused on being a businessman. The declaration suggests Jones is stepping away from active competition to pursue other interests. This follows a pattern of retirement-related statements from Jones throughout his career. Additionally, the post mentions Johnny Walker gave Jiri Prochazka a surprise gift related to Prochazka's upcoming daughter. Paulo Costa made controversial comments about Russian fighters and showed difficulty making 93 kg at weigh-ins after previously competing at 84 kg.
Jon Jones declared on April 11, 2026, that he has retired from mixed martial arts, stating that "the fighter Jon Jones no longer exists" and that he is now focused entirely on business pursuits.
Jones, 38, carries one of the most decorated records in MMA history at 28-1-0. Standing six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, he has combined elite wrestling — averaging 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career — with 58 percent striking accuracy to dominate opponents across two divisions. This is not the first time Jones has made retirement-adjacent statements, and the declaration follows a familiar pattern of public announcements that have previously not resulted in a permanent exit from the sport.
Elsewhere in the light heavyweight division, number-two-ranked Jiri Prochazka received a surprise gift from fellow contender Johnny Walker, reportedly tied to the upcoming birth of Prochazka's daughter. The 33-year-old Czech fighter holds a 32-6-1 record and is one of the division's most aggressive strikers, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach.
Meanwhile, middleweight Paulo Costa generated controversy after making inflammatory comments about Russian fighters. The Brazilian, ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4-0 record, also drew attention for struggling to make 93 kg at weigh-ins — a notable detail given that his primary division sits at an 84 kg limit. Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," averages 6.26 significant strikes per minute, among the highest output figures in the division, with 58 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Jones' retirement statement creates significant uncertainty at heavyweight, where he has been a major anticipated presence
- Prochazka remains a top light heavyweight contender regardless of any Jones-related divisional shifts
- Costa's weight management issues and public comments add scrutiny to his standing at ranked 13th in middleweight
