Just when UFC fans thought Jon Jones was closing the cage door for good, the legendary fighter has thrown everyone a curveball.
Less than a month after announcing his retirement, the 37-year-old has hinted he might not be done with the octagon—especially if it means fighting at the White House and possibly facing British star Tom Aspinall.
Retirement U-Turn Sparks Buzz
Jones had previously declared he was stepping away from MMA for good, and UFC president Dana White backed that up by saying the highly anticipated match between Jones and Aspinall wasn’t happening.
But just two weeks later, Jones surprised fans by announcing on social media that he’s re-entered the UFC’s drug-testing pool—often a clear sign that a fighter is ready to return.
A White House Fight? Count Him In
What changed his mind? It seems a rather unconventional venue caught his attention.
Former President Donald Trump recently said he wants to host a UFC fight on the White House lawn as part of America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations next July.
That ambitious idea may have been the trigger for Jones’ sudden change of heart.
Jones Hints at Facing Aspinall
Taking things a step further, Jones engaged with fans on Instagram by commenting on a mock-up image showing him defeating Aspinall at the White House.
His comment? A simple but telling, “I like this.”
It’s a big shift, especially considering how Jones previously downplayed the idea of fighting Aspinall, saying it wouldn’t add much to his legacy.
That didn’t sit well with fans, many of whom felt Jones had been dodging the British heavyweight.
How the Heavyweight Rivalry Got Here
Jones last fought in November 2023, when he easily beat fellow MMA legend Stipe Miocic to win the UFC heavyweight title.
But instead of facing Aspinall, the interim champ at the time, Jones opted to stay on the sidelines—and eventually retire.
Aspinall, who earned the interim belt in November 2023, defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024.
After Jones stepped away from the sport, Aspinall was elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion.
Despite his dominant performances, Jones still claimed that fighting him would add “nothing” to his already cemented legacy.
The Bigger Picture: Jones’ Legendary Career
There’s no doubt that Jon Jones is one of the UFC’s all-time greats.
With a near-perfect record of 28 wins and only one loss, he also holds the record for the most UFC wins at 16.
But his recent behavior, both inside and outside the octagon, has kept fans and critics on edge.
Legal Trouble Casts a Shadow
Shortly after his retirement announcement, Jones was hit with a misdemeanor charge for allegedly fleeing the scene of a car accident.
The charge was filed in Albuquerque Metropolitan Court, and he’s been ordered to appear for a bond arraignment on July 24.
His attorney said the fighter was “shocked” by the charge and insisted the local police are unfairly targeting him.
Eyebrow-Raising Details in the Police Report
According to a police report obtained by Mail Sport, officers were responding to a crash on February 21 when they found a woman in one of the vehicles.
She reportedly appeared highly intoxicated and was partially unclothed from the waist down.
The strange circumstances of the incident only add another layer of controversy to Jones’ already eventful year.
What’s Next for Bones?
With his name back in the headlines, both for fight rumors and legal drama, it’s unclear what comes next for Jon Jones.
But if a White House brawl against Tom Aspinall really does go ahead, it could be the most bizarre—and memorable—chapter yet in the career of one of MMA’s most unpredictable stars.