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Jon Jones issues statement after UFC retirement, breaks silence on legal trouble claims

Jon Jones issues statement after UFC retirement, breaks silence on legal trouble claims

India Today22-06-2025
Jon Jones has issued a lengthy statement following his retirement from UFC on Saturday, June 21. UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Jones had called them to say that he has chosen to retire and Tom Aspinall would be the new UFC Heavyweight champion. 'Bones' made his debut in 2008 at the age of 21 and became the youngest champion in the history of the organisation by winning the Light Heavyweight strap by beating Shogun Rua. Jones had one of the most dominant title reigns in MMA history and went on to claim the UFC Heavyweight title by beating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. His final bout with the UFC came up against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024. advertisementTaking to X, Jones said that the decision came after a lot of reflection and thanked the UFC, Dana White, family, team and his fans. The former Heavyweight champion said that he is looking forward to new opportunities and challenges and claimed that the best is yet to come.
"Today, I'm officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I've experienced over the years.""From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I'll cherish forever. I've faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person."advertisement"I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we've shared inside and outside the cage.""As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I'm excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come," read the statement from Jones.
'Don't believe everything you read online'There were reports that emerged on Saturday right after the retirement announcement that Jones was being charged for misdemeanor for fleeing an accident scene. Jones addressed the claims with a cryptic tweet, saying that the media can get things wrong at times and don't believe everything you read online. advertisement"Keep in mind, even the media can get it wrong sometimes if they don't have all the facts. Don't believe everything you read online," said Jones.
Jones ended his career with a record of 28 wins, 1 loss and 1 no-contest.
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