Jon Jones nonetheless isn’t able to declare if he’s going to combat once more or hold up his gloves for good.
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion, who final fought this previous November when he completed Stipe Miocic in dominant trend for his first protection of that title, has been connected to a possible showdown towards Tom Aspinall for a number of months. Nonetheless, there’s been no actual motion on truly getting the combat scheduled. Aspinall has repeatedly expressed his frustration with delays and uncertainty surrounding the matchup and Jones’ newest feedback are in all probability solely going to exacerbate his present aggravation.
“I don’t know what life holds so far as preventing and competing,” Jones advised Vic Blends when requested if followers might count on “another rodeo” from him. “I do really feel like I’ll be a lifelong martial artist whether or not I’m teaching others or taking exhibition matches and issues like that. There’s loads of nice competitors nonetheless within the UFC.
“I do view myself as greater than a fighter and being in my place, I really feel like I’ve much more choices than loads of the opposite fighters so far as the flexibility to go away and return and issues like that.”
In earlier posts on social media, Jones acknowledged the UFC is properly conscious of his plans for the longer term and he was shocked the promotion hasn’t revealed that to the world but. Extra just lately, Jones traveled to Thailand to movie an Final Fighter-style actuality present, however there’s nonetheless no indication on him doubtlessly preventing once more or not.
There have been loads of requires the UFC to strip Jones of his heavyweight title, however as a result of he’s given no indication he completely received’t combat once more, it’s unlikely the promotion would simply take the belt away from him, particularly since he’s solely been out of motion for six months.
Based mostly on his newest feedback, nonetheless, Jones doesn’t sound like he’s dashing again to the octagon any time quickly.
“Proper now I’m simply specializing in love, happiness, kindness, we’re within the quarter-century mark and this 12 months needs to be a very particular 12 months,” Jones mentioned about 2025. “This 12 months I’m saying sure to extra alternatives. I’m touring extra. I’m consciously being kinder to folks and that’s simply the best way of my thoughts proper now could be simply love and kindness and peace and specializing in household and specializing in me, my aura.”
Exterior the game, Jones is exploring completely different alternatives, together with appearing, which is one thing he’s at all times wished to do. That’s been a enjoyable transition and Jones admits he’s loved including new jobs to his résumé that aren’t essentially connected to MMA whereas nonetheless serving as a mentor to the subsequent technology of fighters.
“Simply making an attempt to be the perfect businessman I will be,” Jones mentioned. “I’m making an attempt to show to myself I will be nice in multiple area. I attempt to be actually good on digital camera with appearing subsequent.
“Simply attempt to encourage others and assist different UFC fighters in a few of the methods the place I went incorrect so far as pay and endorsements and what to look out for so far as the leeches and issues like that. Attempt to be a fantastic mentor to a few of these younger guys which can be developing and make it to heaven.”
Jones believes it doesn’t matter what occurs, he’ll at all times have a ardour for the game. There’s nonetheless no telling if meaning he’ll placed on the gloves one final time.
“I’ll at all times love MMA,” Jones mentioned. “Someway the universe made me among the finest at it so I’ll at all times adore it. I’ll at all times adore it.”
