Jon Jones has declared his retirement from fighting, stating "I hung up my gloves, fighter Jon Jones is no more. Now only businessman Jon Jones." The announcement marks what appears to be the end of one of the most storied careers in MMA history. Jones is transitioning his focus entirely to business ventures moving forward. The statement suggests a definitive end to his competitive fighting career rather than a temporary hiatus. Additional notes from the same update include Paulo Costa struggling to make 93kg weight, Josh Hokit apologizing off-camera after his antics, and Merab Dvalishvili planning two more fights this year despite a broken nose.
Jon Jones has declared his retirement from mixed martial arts, announcing on April 11, 2026, that he has permanently stepped away from competition. In his own words, Jones said he has hung up his gloves and that "fighter Jon Jones is no more," with only "businessman Jon Jones" remaining going forward.
Jones, 38, finishes with a professional record of 28-1-0 and a career that stands among the most dominant in the sport's history. The six-foot-four Orthodox heavyweight carried an 84-inch reach and posted a striking accuracy of 58 percent throughout his career, landing 4.38 significant strikes per minute while also averaging 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes — a versatility that defined his style across multiple divisions. His retirement does not appear to be a hiatus; the language of his statement points to a permanent exit from the cage.
Elsewhere in the same update, a handful of other noteworthy items emerged. Paulo Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian middleweight ranked 13th in his division with a 16-4-0 record, was reported to be struggling to make 93 kilograms. Costa lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute and carries a striking accuracy of 58 percent, making him one of the more prolific volume strikers in the 185-pound division.
Bantamweight number-one contender Merab Dvalishvili, 35, of Georgia, is reportedly planning two more fights this year despite competing with a broken nose. Dvalishvili holds a 21-5-0 record and sits second in the pound-for-pound rankings. Known for his relentless wrestling output of 6.4 takedown attempts per 15 minutes, the Serra-Longo product has built his reputation through volume and pressure across five-foot-six, 173-centimeter frame.
Why it matters
- Jones retiring creates a significant vacancy at the top of the heavyweight division with no immediate successor named
- Dvalishvili's push for two fights signals continued activity at the top of a stacked bantamweight division
- Costa's weight management situation at 93 kg raises questions about his divisional future at middleweight
