
Jones weighs UFC exit as boxing future looms
Jon Jones says leaving his UFC contract is 'very, very possible' as he pursues a boxing career, even hinting at a possible Ngannou bout and signaling a potential shift from MMA.
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Jon Jones says leaving his UFC contract is 'very, very possible' as he pursues a boxing career, even hinting at a possible Ngannou bout and signaling a potential shift from MMA.

Jon Jones told Denise White that MVP MMA’s Netflix debut looked better than the UFC and suggested an exit from his UFC contract may be possible, praising MVP’s production and indicating interest in future collaboration with the promotion.

Jon Jones attended MVP MMA on Netflix and used the broadcast to reiterate his frustration with UFC contract constraints, telling Jake Paul he wants to leave to pursue a fight with Francis Ngannou. Paul later disclosed a private backstage conversation in which Jones expressed being upset about not being a free agent, underscoring ongoing tensions over fighters’ autonomy and potential future crossovers.

Jon Jones says he would like to fight Francis Ngannou but would need to exit his UFC contract (potentially via MVP MMA); he now believes he’s likely fought his last bout and has 'no reason to fight anymore,' and noted Dana White isn’t inclined to do business with Ngannou, making the matchup unlikely unless a non-UFC route is possible. He also praised Ngannou’s win while acknowledging the heavyweight ruler’s size advantage in the latest bout.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano headlines MVP MMA at the Intuit Dome, streamed on Netflix, with Mauro Ranallo on play-by-play, Kenny Florian as color commentator, Elle Duncan leading the desk, and guests including Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez; prelims air on MVP YouTube, main card on Netflix, plus fight-week coverage and weigh-ins.

Francis Ngannou says the much-discussed potential fight with Jon Jones was never truly on the table and was used by UFC executives as leverage during contract negotiations. Negotiations failed and Ngannou earned free agency, while Jones moved up to heavyweight and became champion. Ngannou later fought in the PFL and is set to face Philipe Lins on Netflix, and while a UFC return isn’t ruled out, it would have to make sense for both sides. He still wants a Jones fight before retirement, but only if the terms are right.

Jon Jones says the glare of fame makes his off‑cage issues seem bigger, but he insists he’s “a pretty good person” despite a career defined by historic UFC success and high‑profile problems, including a 2015 hit‑and‑run, suspensions for failed drug tests, and arrests. He’s hinted at a return to fighting and downplayed a recent UFC negotiation dispute as he navigates his complicated legacy at public appearances like the Dirty Boxing event.

In a candid interview amid ongoing scrutiny, Jon Jones asserts he’s “a way more good of a person than” the negative image around him, reflecting on public perception and his past incidents, including a recent road‑rage confrontation, while emphasizing accountability and the freedom to be himself.

Carlos Ulberg overcame a leg injury to stop Jiri Prochazka in the first round at UFC 327, capturing the vacant UFC light heavyweight title. Jon Jones, watching from the front row, reacted with disbelief to Ulberg's comeback, as the division continues its turnover since Jones vacated the belt in 2020.

Jon Jones says the friction with the UFC over a potential Alex Pereira fight was a disagreement about compensation rather than a break in their relationship, and he remains undecided about retirement while staying motivated to compete. Pereira’s bid was ultimately awarded to Ciryl Gane at UFC 327 in Miami, but Jones complimented Pereira and indicated he’ll continue weighing his body and fitness as he considers future bouts.

Dana White wasn’t moved by Jon Jones’ latest retirement flip-flop after UFC 327; Jones briefly hinted at retirement, then signaled a possible comeback while cageside with Gable Steveson, and White quipped about Jones’s long-running unpredictability, noting he hasn’t engaged Jones about a future return and previously wouldn’t book him on a UFC White House card.

Jon Jones says retirement is on hold after another conversation with UFC executive Hunter Campbell, signaling a potential return while he currently focuses on coaching Gable Steveson, despite earlier retirement claims and a White House card that never came to be.

Jon Jones says he is retiring from fighting after being unable to headline UFC's White House event; he claims his gloves are hung up and he’s moving on to business, following a 2024 return and his last Octagon appearance against Stipe Miocic amid Dana White’s refusal to include him on the White House card.

Dana White told reporters that Jon Jones won’t be on the UFC White House card due to reliability concerns, despite Jones claiming a $15 million offer; White says negotiations produced other matchups and, with the card finalized, Jones isn’t participating.

Matt Brown argues that the UFC isn’t at a breaking point over fighter pay despite star grievances (Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey) and high-profile pay disputes; while Netflix-backed events and MVP signings like Diaz’s deal complicate the landscape, the UFC remains the dominant promotion with exclusive contracts, and Brown suggests only a major legal/market shake-up could truly threaten its position.