It sounds like Jon Jones won’t be hitting the wrestling mats for a match against Daniel Cormier in RAF.
For months, a potential showdown between the longtime rivals has been talked about with Cormier promising he would blank the former two-division UFC champion if Jones ever crossed over into his world where he was a two-time Olympian. As it turns out, Jones is dealing with injuries from his fight career that will plague him for years to come, which is why he’s not jumping at the opportunity to grapple with his longtime rival.
“I have severe arthritis and most people don’t know that,” Jones said in a video posted to social media. “My left hip is covered in arthritis. I actually already qualify for a hip replacement. My last training camp, I went to bed in so much pain.”
Jones’ most recent appearance came in 2024 when he finished Stipe Miocic to successful defend the UFC heavyweight title. He eventually relinquished that belt when he decided to retire after losing interest in unifying titles with interim champ Tom Aspinall.
Jones quickly reversed course and announced he planned to fight again — with hopes that he would end up competing on the UFC White House card in June. UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly stated he doesn’t want to put Jones on that card over concerns that he might not show up and the magnitude of that event is too important to risk it.
As of now, the UFC hasn’t announced any matchups for the White House so Jones is still in play. But when it comes to wrestling, Jones says he has more important things to worry about in his life than building on his grudge against Cormier.
“I have a three-year-old baby boy,” Jones said. “I want to use what I’ve got left in my hips to play with his ass.”
In a separate interview with TMZ, Jones revealed that he didn’t know that conversation held at a recent Dirty Boxing event was being recorded but he didn’t shy away from admitting that the injuries he suffered during his career were definitely real.
Tha said, Jones doubled down on his desire to compete at least one more time before calling it a career with hopes that he could land a coveted spot on the UFC White House card in June.
”The UFC knows the extent of my arthritis,” Jones said. “They also know that if I were to put it all on the line one last time and endure that level of pain, the reward would have to be something special and something more than a fat payday. For me, that was and is still the White House.
“Whether that fight happens or not, my career has been one for the ages and nothing short of legendary. I left a big part of myself in that Octagon, and I’m grateful for every bit of it. And don’t get it twisted, I’ll still kick 99 percent of your asses out there. Still putting up big numbers under the squat rack. Still training. Still outworking most of you … just maybe after a proper warm-up and a good stretch.”
HEY BUT YOUR EYES ARE GOOD RIGHT?
His ass? BEEP!
Thats a new excuse, its not from fucking every girl in sight???
Imagine thinking to yourself “I’m the greatest fighter in UFC History” and also “The UFC won’t put me on the biggest card in history” His hips are fucked from all the mental gymnastics.
Would Explain why he looks slow and stiff when wrestling around with random people lately, and why he’s been delaying fighting.
Yeah he’s an A-Hole…but I believe him.
LOL at DC, Jones and his creaky bones would still beat that fat fuck
I believe him too.. Jones is the mma goat and already decisively beat Cormier twice in mma so why would he take a wrestling match with him for a tiny organization like RAF?! What’s next, a bare knuckle match with him next year? It’s beneath him
I hope Jones fights again but I don’t see it happening
When Hones and DC are in care homes DC will be calling out Jones for a checkers match
and he’ll lose that too
And still poke his eye