Jon Jones 'Leaving Doors Open' for Return, Remains in UFC Drug-Testing Pool

Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has addressed his combat sports future, indicating that while a return is unlikely, he has not fully shut down the possibility. Responding to a fan on Twitter, the 39-year-old wrote, “More than likely, I won’t fight again,” before adding that he remains in the UFC’s drug-testing pool and is “leaving doors open, you never know what the future holds.” According to the UFC’s official drug-testing website, Jones has been tested four times in 2026.

Jones, who became the youngest champion in UFC history at age 23, built a historic résumé at light heavyweight with 11 title defenses before moving up to capture the heavyweight crown by submitting Ciryl Gane in 2023 for the title vacated by Francis Ngannou. His most recent bout came at UFC 309, where he successfully defended the belt against Stipe Miocic. Jones later retired in June 2025, putting aside a potential matchup with interim titleholder Tom Aspinall, before expressing an interest in competing again when UFC CEO Dana White was involved.

Alongside his career accomplishments and past controversies—such as a 2015 hit-and-run incident that led to his first light heavyweight title being stripped—Jones has also remained active on social media. Over the past week, Jones engaged in a feud on Twitter with former UFC fighter Colby Covington, who referred to Jones as a “terrible human being.” Jones dismissed Covington's remarks, asserting that he has always been better than him and represents everything Covington could never be.