Jon Jones’ long-rumored return to competition has hit a serious roadblock, and this time, it has nothing to do with contracts or opponents. The UFC legend has revealed a major medical issue that could permanently shut the door on any comeback, inside the Octagon or beyond.
Jones recently opened up about his health, disclosing that he is dealing with severe arthritis in his left hip and has already qualified for a hip replacement. The revelation comes amid renewed buzz surrounding a possible return, sparked by his reunion with longtime rival Daniel Cormier on a Russian spinoff of The Ultimate Fighter.
Jones and Cormier, who fought twice in the UFC, reignited fan excitement after appearing together as coaches. That quickly led to speculation about a potential trilogy bout in Real American Freestyle wrestling or even a crossover boxing match. Jones himself had teased the idea, fueling hopes of seeing the rivals collide one more time.
“I have severe arthritis, and most people don’t know that,” Jon Jones said in a conversation shared by TikTok user Tripnotix.
“My left hip is covered in arthritis. I actually already qualified for a hip replacement. My last training camp, I was in so much pain.”
Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, officially retired last summer before reversing course following the UFC’s announcement of a potential White House event. UFC CEO Dana White, however, has repeatedly pushed back on the idea of Jones headlining that card, especially with names like Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira in the mix.
Behind the scenes, Jones’ health appears to be the real deciding factor.
“I have a three-year-old baby boy, and I wanna use what I got left in my hips to play with his a–,” Jones added.
The former two-division champion last competed at UFC 309, where he defeated Stipe Miocic in what many viewed as a legacy bout. He had previously agreed in principle to a lucrative unification fight with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, reportedly worth around $30 million, before backing away and briefly announcing his retirement.
Jones later hinted at a return and even flirted with the idea of a super-fight against Alex Pereira. But his latest comments suggest he may be preparing for a very different future, one that prioritizes quality of life over competition.
Daniel Cormier, meanwhile, has long since closed the chapter on his fighting career. He retired in 2020 after his trilogy loss to Miocic, entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022, and now works full-time as a broadcaster.
If Jones does step away for good, he wouldn’t be the first elite fighter forced into retirement by hip issues. Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren made a similar decision in 2019 after revealing he needed a hip replacement.
For now, Jon Jones’ fighting future remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the greatest challenge of his career may no longer be an opponent, but his own body.
