Jon Jones Ends Two-Week Retirement, Re-Enters UFC Anti-Doping Pool

12 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated Jul 4, 2025, 11:35 PM

Former two-division champion Jon Jones said on 4 July that he has re-entered the UFC’s anti-doping testing pool, reversing the retirement he announced only 13 days earlier. “Just re-entered the testing pool … Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open,” the 37-year-old wrote on social media.

Under the UFC Anti-Doping Program, an athlete who retires must make themself available for testing for 180 days before returning to competition, though the promotion can grant an exemption. Jones’ decision revives the prospect of a long-anticipated heavyweight title bout with Tom Aspinall, who was elevated from interim to undisputed champion following Jones’ departure.

Jones’ move comes as President Donald Trump promotes a UFC card at the White House for Independence Day 2026, an event the fighter publicly referenced. Jones last competed at UFC 309 in November 2024, when he defended the heavyweight belt against Stipe Miocic, and has been tested twice so far in 2025, according to the anti-doping program’s public database.

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