Jon Jones remains in the UFC’s drug-testing pool, leaving the door open for a potential comeback despite announcing his retirement last year. His legendary heavyweight run cemented his status as one of the sport’s greatest competitors, though it was frequently overshadowed by drug-testing controversies and public disputes with the promotion.
“Bones” recently looked back on his career and picked a specific bout as the best of his fighting life because he shared the emotional night with his father and late brother. Yet, despite experiencing that high point, he confessed to one major regret that still haunts him.
Jon Jones Says Stipe Miocic Fight Was His Last Moment Inside the Cage
That peak moment occurred on Nov. 16, 2024, when Jones defeated Stipe Miocic by third-round stoppage at UFC 309 in New York’s Madison Square Garden. That night carries deep personal significance for the 39-year-old because it was the final fight his late brother, former NFL defensive lineman Arthur Jones, witnessed before passing away on Oct. 3, 2025, at age 39.
“I really do believe that was my last moment inside the cage – and it was great,” Jones said in a recent interview with The Schmo. “My brother was still alive at the time, my father was there. I got to tell the world that I love Jesus, and that will never change.”
He added, “I got to salute our President. Stipe Miocic was considered the greatest heavyweight of all time. You know, we’re both older, but to defeat him, I don’t really see how it can get bigger than that.”
The win marked his first undisputed heavyweight title defense after originally capturing the vacant belt at UFC 285 by submitting Ciryl Gane with a first-round guillotine choke. Miocic, 42 at the time, retired after the loss.
Jon Jones Regrets Missing UFC Freedom 250 at White House
When Jones walked away, he left the undisputed heavyweight title behind without ever fighting interim champion Tom Aspinall — who was later elevated to undisputed champion before recently vacating the belt himself due to severe eye injuries.
However, “Bones” then pushed aggressively for a spot on the historic White House card, but contract talks collapsed and Jones called it his big regret.
“There was the White House card,” Jones said. “That was one of the few nights in my career where I just was thinking, ‘I should have been there.’ I usually don’t regret decisions, but that was one of my big regrets in life, not being a part of the White House. But if I never fight again, I think I’m pretty damn happy.”
His “if I never fight again” line leaves a small opening, but with a bad hip, no booking and a promotion that shut him out, the Miocic stoppage looks like the final chapter of his career.
