UFC legend Jon Jones’s desired return to fighting at the White House hit a major speed bump due to him potentially needing a hip replacement.
Two-time UFC rivals Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier reunited as coaches of a Russian spinoff of The Ultimate Fighter last month, prompting a strong reaction from fight fans. Talks started to spread about Jones and Cormier potentially competing in a trilogy matchup in Real American Freestyle wrestling, an upstart promotion, years removed from their last fight in the Octagon.
Jones retired from MMA last summer before quickly rescinding his retirement after the UFC’s White House event announcement. UFC CEO Dana White remains adamant that he won’t allow Jones to headline the card opposite the likes of Alex Pereira and Tom Aspinall.
Fans were pumped when Cormier and Jones both teased a potential showdown in either wrestling or boxing. But Jones revealed a massive setback that will likely shut down any chance of him returning to any combat sport.
Jon Jones: Potential hip replacement shutting down White House comeback attempt
Jones recently revealed a serious ailment in a conversation with TikTok user Tripnotix.
“I have severe arthritis, and most people don’t know that,” Jones said.
“My left hip is covered in arthritis. I actually already qualified for a hip replacement. My last training camp, I was in so much pain.
“I have a three-year-old baby boy, and I wanna use what I got left in my hips to play with his a–.”
Cormier retired from MMA following a trilogy loss to heavyweight legend Stipe Miocic in 2020. He entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022 and has transitioned full-time to broadcasting.
As for what’s next for Jones, it sounds like he could potentially become the latest fighter to abruptly quit competing due to a hip replacement. Ben Askren announced his retirement under similar circumstances following a loss to Demian Maia in 2019.
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