It sounds like Jon Jones won’t be hitting the wrestling mats for a match against Daniel Cormier in RAF.
For months, a potential showdown between the longtime rivals has been talked about with Cormier promising he would blank the former two-division UFC champion if Jones ever crossed over into his world where he was a two-time Olympian. As it turns out, Jones is dealing with injuries from his fight career that will plague him for years to come, which is why he’s not jumping at the opportunity to grapple with his longtime rival.
“I have severe arthritis and most people don’t know that,” Jones said in a video posted to social media. “My left hip is covered in arthritis. I actually already qualify for a hip replacement. My last training camp, I went to bed in so much pain.”
Jones’ most recent appearance came in 2024 when he finished Stipe Miocic to successful defend the UFC heavyweight title. He eventually relinquished that belt when he decided to retire after losing interest in unifying titles with interim champ Tom Aspinall.
Jones quickly reversed course and announced he planned to fight again — with hopes that he would end up competing on the UFC White House card in June. UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly stated he doesn’t want to put Jones on that card over concerns that he might not show up and the magnitude of that event is too important to risk it.
As of now, the UFC hasn’t announced any matchups for the White House so Jones is still in play. But when it comes to wrestling, Jones says he has more important things to worry about in his life than building on his grudge against Cormier.
“I have a three-year-old baby boy,” Jones said. “I want to use what I’ve got left in my hips to play with his ass.”
Read the full article here
