Jon Jones is leaning hard toward retirement going into his UFC 309 heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic, which is now official.
Jones (27-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) will get in the octagon for the first time since he captured the vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023 when he takes on former champ Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the headliner of the Nov. 16 card, which takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).
“Bones” has fought just once since February 2020 and has been teasing the idea of hanging up his gloves for some time. However, it appears he has a strong sense of his career objective if he manages to beat Miocic now that the fight is confirmed.
“This is going to be the last time,” Jones told “Clocked N’ Loaded” backstage at UFC 306 this past Saturday. “More than likely.”
Jon Jones confirmed to @ClockedNload that his fight against Stipe Miocic will be his last one – planning to retire after #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/rz4yUAa4SW
— Clocked N’ Loaded (@ClockedNload) September 15, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White recently stated he thinks Miocic will be retiring at UFC 309 regardless of the result against Jones. He felt Jones would continue competing, though, and give interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall his much-desired chance to unify belts.
It appears Aspinall may be left high and dry, though, because Jones doesn’t seem keen to stick around the sport beyond the fight with Miocic.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.
