The reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones could call it quits soon. His next fight could be the last time we see ‘Bones’ step inside the octagon. But, a fight against a WWE star might entice Jones not to hang up his gloves yet.
Jon Jones is planning to retire
The former light-heavyweight king recently returned to action at UFC 285 in March, taking on Ciryl Gane for the vacant light-heavyweight title. Jones arguably settled the MMA G.O.A.T. debate with a dominant first-round submission win over ‘Bon Gamin.’
Following the bout, he went on to call out former heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic. UFC president Dana White subsequently hinted that ‘Bones’ might hang up his gloves after his upcoming fight against Miocic. But, fans would love to see ‘Bones’ finally have a showdown with former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar, who is currently signed with WWE.
Jon Jones has also now alluded to retirement after a potential clash against Miocic. Painting a perfect picture for his farewell fight, ‘Bones’ called for an outing in his home state of New York at the Mecca of combat sports, Madison Square Garden.
How cool would it be to spend my retirement fight dominating the greatest heavyweight of all time, in my home state at Madison Square Garden?
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 16, 2023
WWE sale to Endeavor could play a role
With WWE being purchased by UFC’s parent company, Endeavor, fans might have a treat if Jones and Lesnar locked horns. In a statement, Endeavor announced a “definitive agreement” that will see WWE come under the company’s ownership in an estimated $9.3 billion deal. The deal will see Endeavor from a new publicly listed company, consisting of both WWE and UFC.
Endeavor will hold a 51% controlling interest in the new company and existing WWE shareholders will hold a 49% interest in the new company. Several UFC stars have been featured in WWE. Who knows, a deal between UFC and WWE could lead to a possible bout between Lesnar and Jon Jones.
Could Brock Lesnar lure Jon Jones not to retire?
‘Bones’ might be lured if a fight against Lesnar is on the table. Jones recently expressed his desire to face Brock Lesnar. However, Lesnar previously made it clear that he had no plans to return to UFC any longer as now he considers himself too old for MMA. Lesnar would have been a well-matched opponent for Jones and has the ability to pull off the upset in the potential retirement match of ‘Bones’
In the past, Lesnar had been banned from UFC for one year and fined $250,000 for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2016. Lesnar’s win over Mark Hunt at UFC 200 was also overturned to a no-contest.
The former UFC Heavyweight Champion had tested positive for anti-estrogen drugs clomiphene and hydroxy-clomiphene in an out-of-competition drug sample collected. He also tested positive when a second sample was taken on the night of his fight against Hunt.
Curtis Blaydes and Sergei Pavlovich are set to collide in a heavyweight bout on Saturday April 22 at UFC Vegas. Blaydes and Pavlovich could be some of the options for being the challengers for Jon Jones. However, they are not big enough PPV draws to entice Jones to delay his retirement.
Will Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones finally share the Octagon? Only time will tell.
