UFC News & FeaturesTwo Weeks After Retirement, Jon Jones Says He’s Re-Entered Drug-Testing Pool
Every retirement announcement in mixed martial arts is best taken
with a grain of salt.
It appears that Jon Jones is no exception in that regard. Just two weeks after officially calling it a career, the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion claims that he’s re-entered the promotion’s drug testing pool. Jones’ announcement comes on the heels of the news that President Donald Trump plans to hold a UFC event at the White House on July 4, 2026 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
That appears to be the primary motivation behind Jones’
decision.
“Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted about two weeks,” Jones wrote on X. “Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open.”
According to UFCAntiDoping.com, Jones had already been tested twice in 2025 before his retirement announcement occurred on June 21. There had long been hope that “Bones” would come to an agreement to face Tom Aspinall in a heavyweight title unification bout at some point this year, and UFC CEO Dana White claimed that the fight had been targeted for November in New York before Jones had a change of heart. Shortly after it became public that Jones was stepping away from the sport, news broke that he was facing a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earlier this year. The New York native is due in court for a bond arraignment on July 24.
Even if Jones is eligible to compete, there is no indication that he is interested in facing Aspinall or fighting before the proposed UFC event at the White House next year. “Bones” last appeared at UFC 309 this past November, where he defeated Stipe Miocic via third-round technical knockout at Madison Square Garden in New York. Jones would be a little more than two weeks shy of his 39th birthday by July 4 of next year.
It appears that Jon Jones is no exception in that regard. Just two weeks after officially calling it a career, the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion claims that he’s re-entered the promotion’s drug testing pool. Jones’ announcement comes on the heels of the news that President Donald Trump plans to hold a UFC event at the White House on July 4, 2026 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
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’Bones’ Intrigued by Potential White House Fight
“Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted about two weeks,” Jones wrote on X. “Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open.”
Fighting at the White House? 👀
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) July 4, 2025
Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted for about two weeks. Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open.
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) July 4, 2025
According to UFCAntiDoping.com, Jones had already been tested twice in 2025 before his retirement announcement occurred on June 21. There had long been hope that “Bones” would come to an agreement to face Tom Aspinall in a heavyweight title unification bout at some point this year, and UFC CEO Dana White claimed that the fight had been targeted for November in New York before Jones had a change of heart. Shortly after it became public that Jones was stepping away from the sport, news broke that he was facing a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earlier this year. The New York native is due in court for a bond arraignment on July 24.
Even if Jones is eligible to compete, there is no indication that he is interested in facing Aspinall or fighting before the proposed UFC event at the White House next year. “Bones” last appeared at UFC 309 this past November, where he defeated Stipe Miocic via third-round technical knockout at Madison Square Garden in New York. Jones would be a little more than two weeks shy of his 39th birthday by July 4 of next year.
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