Jon Jones doubles down on his return to training to fight in the UFC

Jon Jones in victory in UFC 309. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC India

Jon Jones is really committed to returning to the octagon… or making his fans believe so. On Monday (7), the former UFC champion posted a video on his social media showing his return to the gym. Before that, the fighter had already announced that he would undergo anti-doping tests and expressed interest in fighting on the UFC Casa Branca card. All this just two weeks after his retirement was announced.

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'Wow! We're back!' he said. Jon Jones in the video as he brushed cobwebs off the door of his garage gym after showing off his training partners. (see video below)

Jon Jones is back in the gym

@JonnyBones #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/6vchliawHG

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 8, 2025

Jon Jones provokes Tom Aspinall

This Monday (7), the former heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg.) fired a message enigmatic on 'X' (old Twitter) about returning as a challenger for the belt Tom aspinall.

“It’s good to be the hunter and not the hunted for once,” Bones wrote on his official account.

It feels nice to be the hunter and not the hunted for once.

— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) July 7, 2025

Jon Jones considers returning to fight

Jones' metaphor is not random. For months, Tom aspinall has publicly criticized Jones' courage in facing him. The Briton inherited the title after Bones' retirement at the end of June. Now, Jones has turned the tables by calling himself the "hunter."

The setup for this potential return is cinematic. In a speech in Iowa on July 3, President Donald Trump revealed plans to host an epic UFC event at the White House in July 2026 as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of American Independence. The idea would include a title fight in front of 25 people.

UFC at the White House?

The White House is the seat of the US government. Photo: Reproduction X/WhiteHouse

UFC President Dana White has not yet publicly commented on Jones' return or the White House event. But sources close to the organization describe negotiations as well underway.

The current President of the United States has also participated in events and been received by Jon Jones with a 'dance' in the UFC 309. For Dana, having 'Bones' and Conor McGregor (who also volunteered for the event) on a card at the government headquarters would be the biggest event in the organization's history.