Andrew Ravens
Jon Jones has not competed since retaining the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in November 2024, and while he stepped away rather than unify his belt with Tom Aspinall, he has not entirely closed the door on returning to the octagon. Speaking to Ring Magazine, Jones said he is still in the UFC’s drug testing pool and is leaving his options open while focusing his energy on mentoring Gable Steveson’s MMA career.
“When it comes to me actually fighting anyone, I just keep the door open,” Jones said. “I’m still in the UFC’s drug testing pool. I get drug tested and blood tested all the time. I’m living vicariously through my buddy Gable Steveson right now. I tell everybody that being backstage, being around the fans, seeing that passion, being in the training gym, I get to do it all over again through Gable, and so I’m giving him my absolute best, teaching him everything I know about the sport, and that’s been really fulfilling for me.”
Jones also made clear that being in the testing pool carries contractual weight. “As long as I’m in the drug-testing pool, the UFC is contractually obligated to offer me a few fights a year,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything from them in a while. I just take it as it comes. Right now, my main focus is just being a good dad, being a good family man, staying on top of these endorsements, staying on top of making sure Gable is improving, and that’s just where life is at right now. “
Jones previously expressed frustration at being excluded from UFC Freedom 250 at the White House after re-entering the testing pool with the hope of competing on that card, and had gone as far as to contemplate seeking his release from the UFC. Here are four opponents that make sense for different reasons.
Tom Aspinall
The unfinished business between Jones and Aspinall is the most obvious fight in the heavyweight division. Jones vacated rather than face him. Aspinall was later elevated to undisputed champion, and the two have traded public words ever since. A Jones return against Aspinall would be the biggest fight the heavyweight division has seen in years and would settle one of the sport’s most discussed unresolved rivalries.
Ciryl Gane
Gane now holds the interim heavyweight championship after stopping Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250, and the unification picture at heavyweight is unresolved with Aspinall’s contract situation ongoing. Jones has faced Gane before — submitting him at UFC 285 in 2023 — which gives the rematch a built-in storyline now that Gane is champion.
Alex Pereira
The appeal of Jones vs. Pereira has been discussed for years. Pereira has said publicly he would welcome the fight, and the matchup carries the kind of crossover appeal that generates mainstream attention beyond the hardcore MMA audience. Pereira is coming off a loss to Gane and wants to remain active at heavyweight, while Jones represents the kind of name that would give either man the biggest fight of his career at the current moment.
Alexander Volkov
Alexander Volkov offers a more cautious reentry point for Jones if the preference is to get a round of competitive action under his belt before committing to a title fight. The heavyweight is a durable veteran who would provide a genuine challenge without carrying the championship stakes of the other options. A dominant Jones performance over Volkov would rebuild his momentum and give the UFC a clean narrative heading into a bigger fight.
