Jon Jones is plotting a UFC comeback on the age of 38.
Controversy surrounded the UFC heavyweight division in the beginning of this 12 months, because the champion was accused of holding the title hostage by refusing to fight his interim counterpart, Tom Aspinall.
Dana White announced Jones’ retirement in the summertime, bringing a lackluster end to a profession that has placed the Rochester native as a number one contender for GOAT status.
But it surely didn’t take long for Jones to make a retirement U-turn, as his interest was piqued by the potential of fighting on the celebratory UFC event on the White House in 2026.
With that, the 38-year-old former heavyweight and light-weight heavyweight king has plans to return to the cage well beyond the perfect retirement age proposed by Khabib Nurmagomedov, which Jones recently appeared to support.
- LATEST NEWS: Tom Aspinall releases medical report on eye injury attributable to ‘big cheater’ Ciryl Gane
Who do you would like to see Jon Jones fight in his comeback?
Jon Jones reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov saying fighters should leave the game at 35
The legendary Nurmagomedov selected to hold up his gloves on the age of 32 after promising his mother that he wouldn’t fight on following the death of his father, Abdulmanap.
During a public appearance in August, ‘The Eagle’ appeared to disclose the age he could have retired at had his father not passed. In a video originally from Ushatayka, Nurmagomedov explained why no fighter should compete beyond the age of 35.
“Once you turn out to be 35, you’ll want to stop doing this because [you should] leave this sport for young guys,” Nurmagomedov said.
“Once you turn out to be 35 and also you don’t finish, any person goes to complete you. Why? It’s higher to complete. After 35, you’re never going to be the identical.
“People can talk whatever they need, if you’re past your prime, you [are] going to fight just for money,” he added.
Months later, the video caught the eye of Jones, who re-shared it on his Instagram Stories alongside a caption expressing agreement together with his fellow UFC legend.
“Sensible words from the champ, make your money and don’t be afraid to diversify.”
- LATEST NEWS: ‘Worst idea ever’… Michael Chandler’s pitch to fight Conor McGregor for a brand new UFC title falls flat
Islam Makhachev contradicts Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement timeline
Nurmagomedov made those comments when outlining when he would really like to see his protege, newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, call it quits.
If ‘The Eagle’ has his way, the 34-year-old’s reign at 170 kilos can be short and sweet, lasting around a 12 months and a half before retirement.
However the champ himself has different plans.
Speaking before his crowning at UFC 322, Makhachev downplayed retirement talk by suggesting he could look to surpass Kamaru Usman’s tally of 5 successful welterweight title defenses.
“I defended my belt greater than everybody,” Makhachev said of his lightweight reign in an interview with the UFC. “I need to do something more, not only turn out to be champion.
“Second belt, defend, possibly greater than Kamaru, and to turn out to be (a part of) the Hall of Fame,” he added.