UFC star Jon Jones hints at retirement after Stipe Miocic bout

Following Alex Pereira’s win over Jiri Prochazka on Sunday, talks were emerging about a potential shift to heavyweight for the Brazilian so that he could fight UFC legend Jon Jones.

Now, with one simple comment online, Jones has thrown a dampener on the rumours.

The UFC heavyweight champion was asked by a fan on X whether he would retire following his next fight, which is set to be against Stipe Miocic.

In response, Jones implied the fight may be his last.

“Honestly, it’s hard to say right now, I’m going to base a lot of that on my next performance,” Jones said.

“The options are looking crazy right now.”

White still set on Jones vs Miocic

Jones was set to fight Miocic in late 2023, but a pectoral injury meant the American was unable to compete.

In his absence, Tom Aspinall stepped up to become interim heavyweight champion with a vicious knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November.

There are calls for Jones to fight either Aspinall or Pereira. However, UFC CEO Dana White remains set on Jones vs Miocic happening still.

“This is the problem with the conversation that we’re having here and why people aren’t giving Jon Jones the respect for pound-for-pound,” he said after UFC 303.

“This f***ing guy destroyed the best heavyweight in the division.

“He easily made it look like nothing.

“Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world and the greatest fighter f***ing ever. Period. End of story.”

Jones has never been defeated in the UFC, with the only blemish on his record coming by way of disqualification due to illegal downward elbows in 2009.

His most recent victory was an impressive submission of rising heavyweight star Ciryl Gane in March 2023.

If his fight with Miocic does come to fruition — likely in November 2024 — UFC bookmakers will have him as a heavy favourite to maintain his undefeated record.

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