Jon Jones has weighed in on Conor McGregor's upcoming return to the UFC, saying McGregor has no financial need to compete but respects him for coming back anyway. Jones called it proof that McGregor is a true fighter who loves the sport, adding that he is a lifelong fan of the Irishman.
Jon Jones has spoken out in support of Conor McGregor's anticipated return to the UFC, offering praise for the Irish star's willingness to compete despite having nothing left to prove financially.
Jones, 38, holds a 28-1-0 professional record and is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. Standing six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, the orthodox heavyweight lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, numbers that underscore his continued dominance at the elite level. In his comments, Jones said McGregor has no financial motivation to fight but is doing so because he genuinely loves the sport — a quality Jones described as the mark of a real fighter. He also identified himself as a lifelong fan of the Irishman.
McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6-0 record and fights out of SBG Ireland as a southpaw. At five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, he has built his reputation largely on explosive striking, averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute across his UFC career. His last octagon appearance came well over a year before this story, and his return has been one of the sport's most anticipated storylines.
Why it matters
- Jones lending public support to McGregor adds credibility to the return narrative and signals genuine respect within the sport's elite tier.
- McGregor at 37 with a 22-6-0 record returns to a division where his striking volume — over five significant strikes per minute — still ranks among the UFC's most prolific outputs.
- The comments highlight a broader conversation about veteran fighters competing for love of the sport rather than financial reward, a theme that resonates across multiple weight classes heading into the second half of 2026.
