TLDR
- Jon Jones admits he may be done fighting due to severe arthritis in his left hip that qualifies him for total hip replacement
- His last training camp was filled with immense pain that continued even during sleep
- Jones fears long-term memory loss after meeting a retired fighter who couldn’t remember his own birthday
- He wants to exit the sport on his terms while still capable of competing at the highest level
- Despite health concerns, Jones continues training but says preserving quality of life is now more important than another victory
Sources: Fight Sports TV | MMA Weekly | Yardbarker | My MMA News
Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has admitted he may be finished with competitive fighting due to serious health concerns that have emerged after years in combat sports.
Jones revealed in a leaked private conversation that he is battling severe arthritis in his left hip. The condition has become so bad that he already qualifies for a total hip replacement surgery.
The 37-year-old fighter said his most recent training camp was filled with “immense pain” that continued even when he tried to sleep. He told the UFC that any decision to fight again would require more than just money as motivation.
“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.”
‘I think I could be done’: Jon Jones gives update on UFC future: Jon Jones may have had his final fight, although he hasn’t slammed the door shut just yet. The former two-division UFC champ notified the promotion of his retirement… https://t.co/RE5E7wC1xb #ytb #news #samurai pic.twitter.com/SOjFW8Om5Z
— @samuraijitsu (@samuraijitsu1) February 8, 2026
Memory Loss Concerns Influence Decision
Jones expressed deep concern about the cognitive risks that come with continued fighting. He recalled meeting a retired fighter who suffered from such severe memory loss that the man couldn’t remember his own birthday.
That encounter has made Jones reconsider his future in the octagon. He said he wants to avoid becoming another fighter who struggles with serious brain damage later in life.
“I don’t want to be one of these fighters that win some and lose some and can’t remember what your name is,” Jones explained. “I met a fighter a few years ago. He didn’t know when his birthday was. That’s a lot of fighting. I’m far from that and I don’t even want to know what that looks like.”
Despite his health issues, Jones maintained he is still physically capable of competing at the highest level. He continues to train and lift weights, though he acknowledged needing proper warm-ups and stretching now.
“I’m young enough to compete with some of the best fighters in the world. I am healthy enough to compete with some of the best fighters in the world, but I’ve always been used to competing with the best in the world,” Jones said. “It’s a really high standard to uphold.”
White House Event Consideration
Jones briefly considered coming out of retirement for a potential UFC event at the White House. However, his health concerns have cooled those discussions.
He emphasized that preserving his quality of life has become more important than adding another victory to his record. Jones said he wants to exit the sport on his own terms while he can still remember his accomplishments.
“Whether that fight happens or not, my career has been one for the ages and nothing short of legendary,” Jones stated. “I left a big part of myself in that Octagon, and I’m grateful for every bit of it.”
Jones is widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history. He dominated the light heavyweight division for over a decade before moving up to heavyweight and capturing that title in 2023.
The former two-division champion said he feels excited about growing as a person outside of fighting. He stressed that leaving now would allow him to depart while still at a high level rather than declining into mediocrity.
Jones confirmed the UFC is fully aware of his medical situation and understands the physical toll his career has taken on his body.
