Questions are mounting around Jon Jones‘ UFC retirement following revelations concerning Amanda Nunes’ ongoing presence in the UFC anti-doping testing pool. Despite Jones being promptly removed from the rankings after announcing his retirement, Nunes remains listed, sparking speculation about whether both fighters are truly stepping away or preparing for returns.
UFC ranking inconsistencies raise doubts about fighters’ retirement statuses
Chael Sonnen, known as ‘The American Gangster,’ has openly criticized the UFC’s ranking system for its unclear approach to handling fighters who have retired. Highlighting the contrast between Jon Jones and Amanda Nunes, Sonnen noted that Jones was immediately removed from UFC rankings after his retirement announcement, while Nunes, who retired last year, remains listed among active fighters. This discrepancy raises doubts about what retirement means within the UFC, especially when testing pool involvement is considered.
On Sonnen’s YouTube channel, he explained that UFC rankings are formed weekly from media members’ votes, with the champion listed separately from contenders. Yet, this process can overlook important behind-the-scenes realities, such as contractual and testing pool status. Sonnen pointedly asked,
“Is she in the testing pool?”
when referring to Nunes, emphasizing that fighters are only eligible for rankings if they remain in the anti-doping testing pool, which also implies they are under current contract.
He elaborated,
“If you are in fact retired — if they have taken your belt, but you are in fact retired — you would then need, by definition, to be removed from the testing pool.”
This implies that a fighter’s presence in the pool signals ongoing UFC association and an intent to compete. Sonnen’s observation suggests Nunes’ continuing listing may be more than an oversight—it might be an indication of a potential comeback. Conversely, Jones’ removal from the rankings and presumably the testing pool fuels speculation that he may be either on a break or considering his next move carefully before returning.
Analysis of Jon Jones’ retirement through testing pool status
The ambiguity surrounding Jones’ retirement deepens when cross-referenced with testing pool protocols, a key indicator of UFC fighters’ active status. Fighters leave the pool only upon contract termination or confirmed retirement, so their continued presence typically signals readiness to compete. Sonnen’s scrutiny of Nunes’ status implies she remains an active part of the UFC ecosystem, while Jones’ status remains unclear.
This nuance raises urgent questions about the finality of Jones’ retirement, especially since official reasons and contractual details remain opaque. Fans and analysts alike wonder whether Jones is truly finished or merely awaiting a strategic moment to return, potentially signaling a carefully orchestrated hiatus rather than a permanent exit.
Israel Adesanya’s perspective: Jon Jones’ retirement as strategic provocation
Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has also weighed in on Jones’ retirement, viewing it less as a definitive end and more as a tactical maneuver. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Adesanya described Jones’ decision as “rage-baiting”—a tactic designed to provoke a reaction, generate hype, and elevate anticipation for his eventual return.
“I think he’ll go through this and then come back,” —Israel Adesanya, former UFC middleweight champion
“It’s just the drama of it… I think he’ll fight Tom [Aspinall],” —Israel Adesanya, former UFC middleweight champion
Adesanya links Jones’ retirement to an ongoing legal situation, notably a suspected hit-and-run incident earlier this year. He suggests that rather than retiring at his career’s peak out of choice, Jones may be reacting to external pressures, using retirement as a temporary shield while legal matters are addressed. Additionally, rumors of a lucrative payoff between $20 to $30 million for a potential bout against heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall support this theory.
Adesanya believes that waiting longer will only increase the stakes, as Aspinall could further cement his legacy with additional victories. He explained,
“It’ll even be bigger by the time he comes back because Tom would have had, like, two fights or three fights and built up his own legacy,”
forecasting that the eventual fight would generate massive interest and heighten expectations for what could be a high-profile superfight headlined by Jones.
Potential implications of Nunes’ and Jones’ testing pool statuses for UFC
The conflicting signals from Jones’ and Nunes’ situations underscore the complexity UFC faces in managing fighter retirements, rankings, and public perception. If Nunes remains in the testing pool, it suggests she is not conclusively retired, potentially signaling an impending return to competition that could heighten the women’s division’s profile. For Jones, the absence from rankings and testing leaves fans uncertain, although analysts like Sonnen and Adesanya lean toward a scenario where Jones is biding his time.
The UFC’s handling of these cases affects more than just rankings; it influences fan expectations, fighter contract negotiations, and promotional strategies. If Jones’ return occurs as anticipated, it could spark one of the sport’s most dramatic comebacks. Meanwhile, Nunes’s continued testing pool status keeps alive the possibility of a resurgence for one of MMA’s most dominant champions.
As the UFC landscape unfolds, all eyes will remain on updates concerning their testing pools and official announcements. The ongoing mystery around Jon Jones’ retirement, alongside Amanda Nunes’ ambiguous status, highlights how retirement in MMA can be fluid, with fighters navigating complex personal, legal, and financial factors before truly stepping away from the sport.