Jones insists he is 'still on the roster' despite retirement and UFC release demands

Jon Jones has contradicted his own calls for a UFC release, stating on Instagram Stories that he is “still on the roster, still capable of making the biggest fights on the globe” — a comment prompted by praise from former opponent Ciryl Gane, who called Jones both the best active UFC fighter and the greatest of all time.

The declaration is the latest twist in a turbulent few months for the heavyweight champion. Jones (28-1) retired in June last year after more than a year of avoiding a unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall. His exit came without a formal announcement and followed sustained criticism over his reluctance to face Aspinall.

Relations between Jones and the UFC deteriorated further when he lobbied for a place on the promotion’s White House event, only to be left off the card. UFC president Dana White publicly confirmed there had been no negotiations with Jones, after which “Bones” demanded his release and went as far as praising Most Valuable Promotions’ debut event as superior to the UFC’s output.

Gane’s public endorsement appears to have softened Jones’s stance, at least temporarily. Responding directly to the Frenchman’s comments, Jones acknowledged the compliment and used the moment to signal that a return to competition has not been ruled out.

Jones last fought in November 2024, successfully defending the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. Before that, he had returned from a three-year absence in 2023 to stop Gane and claim the vacant heavyweight belt — a performance that reinforced his standing as one of the sport’s most dominant champions despite the long layoff.

Whether Jones’s Instagram post reflects a genuine change of heart or simply a reaction to flattery remains unclear. No fight has been announced, and the UFC has made no public comment on his roster status.