Jorge Masvidal doubts Jon Jones will return to the UFC. The former heavyweight champion retired in June 2025 after beating Stipe Miocic. Masvidal thinks Jones’ history of legal troubles and long breaks from fighting make a comeback unlikely. He only wants Jones to fight Tom Aspinall if he returns, ideally at a UFC White House event on July 4, 2026. Masvidal questions if Jones is training enough to compete.
Masvidal’s Doubts About Jones
On the CasinoHawks podcast, Masvidal said:
“Jon’s a wild man, and proven so. I think he could wake up one day and be like, ‘I’m fighting, and I don’t give a damn about nothing.’ Put everything to the side and just go 100 miles per hour in getting in shape and fighting. Because he hasn’t looked in the best shape when I’ve seen him, like fight shape, like how he usually looks. He would definitely have to get in shape. Part of me thinks like 60% I think he doesn’t fight, you know?”
He added, “I don’t think he’s coming back. I think more chances he goes to a rehab and f—-ing stays there than fights.” Masvidal points to Jones’ sparse fight schedule and recent appearance as reasons for his skepticism.
Masvidal insists Jones should only face Aspinall.
“Jon is retired. I saw the thing where he said he’s coming back and this and that. But the guy hasn’t fought in a while. Before that, he hadn’t fought in a while. And Jon, I think, likes to tease a lot and flirt to get reactions. But I could see him coming back on that card as well,” Masvidal said.
He continued, “If Jon fights, I only want to see him against Tom Aspinall. I don’t want to see him against anybody else. I seriously don’t. I only want to see Tom Aspinall fight if he comes back.”
Masvidal sees this as a massive fight for the White House event.
Masvidal doubts Jones’ preparation.
“It’s just about how much has Jon been training? Because we know Tom is sweating and bleeding every day. Is Jon doing the same thing?” he said. “Because if he is, and he’s got a year to prepare, Jon could also beat anybody in the world. So this would be one of the biggest fights, and it couldn’t be better on the White House lawn. We have Tom Aspinall the Brit going against the American. Come on – on the 4th of July.”
Jones last fought at UFC 309, stopping Miocic in November 2024. His long gaps between fights worry Masvidal.
Jones, a 38-year-old from New York, has a 28-1 MMA record with 1 no-contest. He won the UFC light heavyweight title in 2011, defending it eight times, and the heavyweight title in 2023 against Ciryl Gane. His only loss was a 2009 disqualification to Matt Hamill. Legal issues, including a 2012 DUI and 2015 hit-and-run, have followed him.
Masvidal, a 40-year-old from Miami, has a 35-17 MMA record. He won the UFC’s BMF title against Nate Diaz in 2019 but lost four straight fights before retiring at UFC 287 in April 2023. He returned for a boxing match against Diaz in July 2024, losing by decision. He plans an MMA comeback, possibly against Leon Edwards.
Jones started in regional promotions, joining the UFC in 2008 with a win over Andre Gusmao. His wrestling and striking beat fighters like Daniel Cormier and Rashad Evans.
Masvidal began in street fighting, starting MMA in 2003 and joining the UFC in 2013 after Strikeforce. His knockouts of Ben Askren and Darren Till made him famous.
Jones has talked about fighting at a UFC White House event in 2026, but Dana White questions his commitment. Masvidal aims to return to MMA, possibly against Edwards. Jones’ legal troubles, including a 2025 incident, raise doubts about his future.
