Jon Jones nonetheless isn’t able to declare if he’s going to battle once more or dangle 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 battle 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 combating and competing,” Jones instructed Vic Blends when requested if followers might anticipate “yet one more 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 a whole lot 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 a whole lot 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 long run and he was stunned 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 probably combating once more or not.
There have been plenty of calls for the UFC to strip Jones of his heavyweight title, however as a result of he’s given no indication he completely gained’t battle 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 individuals and that’s simply the best way of my thoughts proper now’s simply love and kindness and peace and specializing in household and specializing in me, my aura.”
Exterior the game, Jones is exploring different opportunities, including acting, which is one thing he’s at all times needed 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 era of fighters.
“Simply making an attempt to be the perfect businessman I might be,” Jones mentioned. “I’m making an attempt to show to myself I might be nice in multiple area. I attempt to be actually good on digicam with performing subsequent.
“Simply attempt to encourage others and assist different UFC fighters in among the methods the place I went unsuitable 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 terrific mentor to a few of these younger guys which might 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 which means he’ll placed on the gloves one final time.
“I’ll at all times love MMA,” Jones mentioned. “One way or the other the universe made me among the best at it so I’ll at all times like it. I’ll at all times like it.”
