Jon Jones has been receiving a lot of flak for his comments online, but one of his career’s most notable foes is surprisingly loving his work.
Dana White announced Jon Jones’ retirement in June, but that hasn’t stopped the former light heavyweight and heavyweight UFC champion from keeping his name in the news cycle.
In the months leading up to his decision to hang up the gloves, during which Jones’ refusal to fight Tom Aspinall angered much of the fanbase, ‘Bones’ spent considerable time hitting back at his detractors on social media.
And as he already teases a return from retirement, Jones recently went on another responding-spree on X. While that’s caught him flak from some, one of his former opponents is enjoying what he’s seeing.
Chael Sonnen praises Jon Jones’ media ‘work’ since calling it quits
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen gave his latest take on Jones’ retirement and comeback teases.
‘The Bad Guy’, who unsuccessfully challenged ‘Bones’ for the light heavyweight title at UFC 159 in 2013, has had plenty of differences with his former rival in the past.
When it comes to Jones’ social media posts since he hung up the gloves, however, Sonnen has nothing but praise for the polarizing GOAT contender.
“Are you more interested in Jon right now than you were 18 days ago when the announcement of the retirement was made? Are you more interested in Jon vs. Tom?
“I’ll answer my own question: yeah, I am more interested in Jon,” Sonnen said. “I feel that the work Jon has done in the media lately is some of Jon’s finest work.”
Jones’ latest social media activity has come alongside more controversy away from the cage, as he recently received a criminal summons accusing the UFC star of leaving the scene of an accident.
Jon Jones’ MMA retirement was apparently short-lived
In recent days, the former two-division UFC champion has pointed to a quick Octagon return.
Talk of UFC White House sparked Jones’ comeback talk, with the Rochester native evidently keen to headline Donald Trump’s planned event as part of next year’s July 4 celebrations.
After reacting to that announcement, Jones claimed to have taken the first step to making his return official.
“Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted for about two weeks. Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open,” Jones wrote on X.
White subsequently confirmed Jones’ testing pool return, potentially setting the stage for the Rochester native’s comeback in 2026 should Trump’s planned White House fight card come to fruition for July 4.