JON JONES has performed a stunning retirement U-turn and re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool.
The former pound-for-pound king brought the curtain down on his legendary career late last month, seemingly ending fans’ hope of a heavyweight title unification with Brit Tom Aspinall.
Jon Jones announced his retirement from mixed martial arts last month[/caption]
His retirement seemingly ended hopes of a heavyweight title unification bout with Tom Aspinall[/caption]
Brit Aspinall was elevated from interim to undisputed heavyweight champion following Jones’ retirement[/caption]
But the 37-year-old, who has been incredibly active on social media since he hung up his gloves, has seemingly had a change of heart and wants to fight again.
After getting wind of Donald Trump’s plans to host a fight card on the grounds of the White House, Jones wrote on X: “Fighting at the White House?”
“Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted for about two weeks. Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open.”
Jones’ revelation quickly became the talk of MMA fans, one of whom commented: “The GOAT is back.”
Another said: “Genius. Bones knows how to play the game of legacy making. Aspinall wasn’t it.”
And another said: “Yeah buddy. I hope to god u come back and beat on Tom.
“Just to shut everyone up. I personally just want to see u fight again and it doesn’t matter the opponent.”
One remarked: “Tom gets a fight booked and all of a sudden you’re making a comeback? lol alright
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Another chimed in: “This was a smart play by Jon.
“By retiring and having the UFC strip him, he no longer has the pressure to fight the #1 guy.
“He can now fight any other big names of his choice for a final payday.”
Jones’ vacating of the heavyweight title and retirement saw Wigan warrior Aspinall promoted from interim to undisputed heavyweight champion.
The UFC desperately tried to make a unification bout between the pair and even met Jones’ demands to be paid “f**k you money” to make the fight happen.
UFC supremo Dana White claimed Jones “agreed” to the fight and then performed a U-turn, a notion the Hall of Famer denied.
Jones has since claimed he retired last November and that the UFC were well aware of his decision.
White dismissed that claim when recently asked by SunSport, saying: “That’s not true.
“I’m telling you the truth. Believe who you want to believe.”
News of Jones’ retirement came just hours before it emerged he had been charged with fleeing the scene of an accident in New Mexico in February.
A woman who was found at the scene “intoxicated” and “lacking clothing from the waist down” claimed Jones was the driver of the vehicle.
Jones, who alluded to threats of violence to police on the phones, has vehemently denied the allegation and insisted the woman found in the car drove away from his house whilst intoxicated.
