Jon Jones has disclosed a concerning health diagnosis that may bring his remarkable fighting career to an early close.
The former two-division UFC champion retired from MMA last year after initially agreeing to a $30 million bout with Tom Aspinall to unify the heavyweight title. Although he later mentioned plans to compete at an event dubbed UFC White House, those intentions now seem doubtful as Dana White has distanced himself from Jones.
Widely regarded as the greatest fighter in UFC history, Jones recently revealed the true reason he is hesitant to return to the octagon. This explanation came after he was asked whether he would face longtime rival Daniel Cormier in the RAF Wrestling trilogy.
Jon Jones reveals he is battling ‘severe arthritis’ in a candid career update
Jon Jones is celebrated as one of the most dominant fighters in MMA, having bested multiple generations of elite opponents and captured both the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles. His last official fight took place at UFC 309, where he defeated Stipe Miocic in a contest viewed as more than just an exhibition.
Originally slated to fight Tom Aspinall last year, Jones declined the matchup and announced his retirement—though he reversed that decision within days. More recently, he showed enthusiasm for a superfight with Alex Pereira, yet now it appears he may be stepping away from high-profile competition entirely.
A TikTok video shared by user Noah the Boa, reportedly recorded at a Dirty Boxing event, shows Jones talking quietly with Joaquin Buckley backstage. When Noah asked about a potential wrestling match with Cormier, Jones lowered his voice and disclosed a personal, serious health issue.
“I have severe arthritis, but most people don’t know that,” Jones shared with Buckley. “My left hip is riddled with arthritis. I actually qualify for a hip replacement. During the last training camp, I was in so much pain I just went straight to bed.”
Upon Buckley’s inquiry about whether the UFC would cover his medical bills, Jones responded, “I have a 3-year-old son and I want to use whatever is left of my hip to play with him.”
Fan Take: This revelation from Jon Jones is a stark reminder of the physical toll MMA takes even on its greatest athletes. For fans, it’s a poignant moment that signals the potential end of an era and forces the sport to reckon with the long-term health challenges fighters face.
