Jon Jones releases statement officially announcing retirement

Jon Jones is hanging up the gloves for good.

Following UFC CEO Dana White’s announcement that Jones is retired and no longer UFC heavyweight champion, Jones released his own statement addressing his retirement via social media.

See Jones’ statement below.

“Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC,” Jones wrote. “This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.

“From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever. I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.

“I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage.

“As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.”

Jones, 37, retires from MMA competition as the owner of a number of UFC records. He is a two-time undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion and has defended that belt more times (11) and more times consecutively (8) than any fighter ever. When he won the 205-pound title in March 2011 at the age of 23, he became the youngest champion in UFC history.

He is one of eight UFC fighters to become a champion in two weight classes. And he was enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing in 2021 while still active for his classic UFC 165 duel with Alexander Gustafsson.

Jones’ professional record sits at 28-1 (1 NC), with his lone loss being a disqualification for illegal downward elbows in a December 2009 bout with Matt Hamill that Jones was largely dominating.

Though Jones is unquestionably one of the greatest fighters of all time, his legacy is shrouded in controversy. Jones never lost a title in the cage, but was stripped for misconduct in 2015 after being the perpetrator in a hit-and-run and had a 2017 championship win over Daniel Cormier overturned to a no-contest when he later tested positive for banned substances.

“Bones” has also had numerous run-ins with the law outside of the cage. In addition to his 2015 hit-and-run conviction, Jones was also arrested the evening of his Hall of Fame induction in September 2021 following a domestic incident with his fiancee at a hotel in Las Vegas, and he was most recently accused of threatening a drug-testing agent following a visit to his home in March 2024.

Still, Jones’ in-competition accolades remain impressive, and he has defeated a laundry list of legends including Cormier, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Stipe Miocic, Vitor Belfort, Rashad Evans, and Glover Teixeira among others. A heavyweight championship unification bout with interim titleholder Tom Aspinall failed to materialize due to Jones repeatedly shooting down Aspinall as a worthy contender.

With Jones retired, Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed champion status.