Jon Jones is feeling optimistic about his fighting future after completing a retirement U-turn.
‘Bones’ was expected to face Tom Aspinall in a heavyweight unification bout at some point in 2025.
It’s been reported that the UFC agreed to pay him $30 million to make that fight happen.
However, Jon Jones allegedly backed out of the deal before briefly retiring from MMA in June.
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Jon Jones provides an update
The greatest fighter in MMA history quickly unretired after learning that the UFC will host a show at the White House in July 2026.
Annoyed by his antics, UFC CEO Dana White has barred Jon Jones from competing at the once-in-a-lifetime event.
Still, Jones seemed optimistic about his future with the UFC during a recent social media update.
The 38-year-old recently discussed an injury he’s dealing with before talking up his MMA return on Instagram.
“I just got done doing some stem cells,” Jones began.
“I usually don’t complain to the fans about all the different injuries I’ve had over the years. You guys usually only hear about the major ones. I usually just get back to work and fight the toughest competition the world has to offer.
“This time, I took a little step back and I got some stem cells done. Some things that really needed to get addressed, I wanted to thank the UFC for supporting that.
“Life is good, your boy is healing. Becoming stronger so that I can finish my old man chapter like a real badass.
“I think a lot of great things are to come, but all great things take time.
“I’m patient. I’m a man on a mission. A man with a plan.”
Jon Jones supported by Israel Adesanya
Jon Jones hasn’t always been the best of friends with former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
So, fans were somewhat surprised when ‘The Last Stylebender’ publicly supported his retirement decision.
Adesanya believes Jones was right to reject $30 million and avoid suffering a potential loss against Aspinall.
“If I was in his position, I would’ve probably done the smart thing, which is after Stipe bounce,” he said during a recent conversation with Demetrious Johnson. “If I prolonged it for maybe a few months, and I just know I’m not going to fight anymore, I’m not rolling the dice against a guy like that.
“You don’t wanna risk it because it’s a great legacy. God forbid, he beats you, you’ve gotta come back again and try to fight him again and beat him. It will extend your career for another two years because you are trying to get that back.”
Adesanya added: “I think he’s gonna come back. He’s gonna come back after he sees more of Tom fighting two other guys and probably get his stock up.
“He’ll do it. It’s Jon Jones. Me and Jon, we’re cool. I’ve been a fan… Tom is a different beast. Fighting Tom is a different beast, but I think he’ll do it, and the fight will be that much bigger.”