Jon Jones undecided on future in UFC: ‘I don’t know what life holds as far as fighting and competing’

UFC 309: Jones v Miocic — Jon Jones | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Jon Jones still isn’t ready to declare if he’s going to fight again or hang up his gloves for good.

The reigning UFC heavyweight champion, who last fought this past November when he finished Stipe Miocic in dominant fashion for his first defense of that title, has been attached to a potential showdown against Tom Aspinall for several months. However, there’s been no real movement on actually getting the fight scheduled. Aspinall has repeatedly expressed his frustration with delays and uncertainty surrounding the matchup and Jones’ latest comments are probably only going to exacerbate his current aggravation.

“I don’t know what life holds as far as fighting and competing,” Jones told Vic Blends when asked if fans could expect “one more rodeo” from him. “I do feel like I’ll be a lifelong martial artist whether I’m coaching others or taking exhibition matches and things like that. There’s a lot of great competition still in the UFC.

“I do view myself as more than a fighter and being in my position, I feel like I have a lot more options than a lot of the other fighters as far as the ability to leave and return and things like that.”

In previous posts on social media, Jones stated the UFC is well aware of his plans for the future and he was surprised the promotion hasn’t revealed that to the world yet. More recently, Jones traveled to Thailand to film an Ultimate Fighter-style reality show, but there’s still no indication on him potentially fighting again or not.

There have been plenty of calls for the UFC to strip Jones of his heavyweight title, but because he’s given no indication he absolutely won’t fight again, it’s unlikely the promotion would just take the belt away from him, especially since he’s only been out of action for six months.

Based on his latest comments, however, Jones doesn’t sound like he’s rushing back to the octagon any time soon.

“Right now I’m just focusing on love, happiness, kindness, we’re in the quarter-century mark and this year should be a really special year,” Jones said about 2025. “This year I’m saying yes to more opportunities. I’m traveling more. I’m consciously being kinder to people and that’s just the way of my mind right now is just love and kindness and peace and focusing on family and focusing on me, my aura.”

Outside the sport, Jones is exploring different opportunities, including acting, which is something he’s always wanted to do. That’s been a fun transition and Jones admits he’s enjoyed adding new jobs to his résumé that aren’t necessarily attached to MMA while still serving as a mentor to the next generation of fighters.

“Just trying to be the best businessman I can be,” Jones said. “I’m trying to prove to myself I can be great in more than one field. I try to be really good on camera with acting next.

“Just try to inspire others and help other UFC fighters in some of the ways where I went wrong as far as pay and endorsements and what to look out for as far as the leeches and things like that. Try to be a great mentor to some of these young guys that are coming up and make it to heaven.”

Jones believes no matter what happens, he’ll always have a passion for the sport. There’s still no telling if that means he’ll put on the gloves one last time.

“I’ll always love MMA,” Jones said. “Somehow the universe made me one of the best at it so I’ll always love it. I’ll always love it.”

Jon Jones undecided on future in UFC: ‘I don’t know what life holds as far as fighting and competing’

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