Khabib Nurmagomedov has expressed that Jon Jones made the right choice by retiring from MMA. ‘The Eagle’ stepped away undefeated after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020. Meanwhile, Jon Jones, whose sole official loss was due to a controversial disqualification in a fight he was dominating, recently announced his retirement but quickly reversed that decision following news of a UFC event scheduled at the White House in July 2026.
Nurmagomedov, a former UFC lightweight champion known for his perfect record, suggested that Jones should have remained retired, believing the former light heavyweight champion is beyond his prime years. He commented on Jones’ activity in recent years, noting that the fighter has only competed once or twice in the last five years, and that some of his final fights, including those against Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes, were divisive.
I mean, he’s like 38 now,
Nurmagomedov said on the Hustle Show. He continued,
But, no, he’s been gone for a while. Let’s be honest. How many fights has he had in the last five years? One or two in the last five years. He’s been done for a while. Even those last [light heavyweight] fights – [Thiago] Santos and [Dominick] Reyes – they were controversial. You know, his prime was clearly behind him. Then he fought Ciryl Gane. I think they just gave him the money. That’s it.
He added,
Everyone has their prime, and his was long past.
Clarifying the Relationship Between Khabib and Jon Jones
Despite his candid critique, Nurmagomedov publicly supported Jones immediately after the latter announced his UFC retirement, which surprised many given Khabib’s close friendship with Daniel Cormier, Jones’ most significant rival. When asked about his relationship with Jones, Nurmagomedov clarified that they are not friends but demonstrated respect for him as an athlete.
We’re not friends, Khabib explained, emphasizing the respect he has for Jones’ accomplishments. He remarked,
“It’s really hard to compare anyone to Jon Jones. As a fighter, I never had questions about him. He’s a great fighter. No one can deny that.”
He further noted,
Like we said earlier, achievements and numbers speak for themselves.
Implications of Jones’ Retirement and Future in UFC
Jones’ quick change of heart regarding retirement, especially with an upcoming high-profile UFC event at the White House, suggests that he may still have unfinished business in the sport. Khabib’s assessment highlights a broader conversation about the longevity of fighters at the elite level and the physical and competitive demands as they age. While Jones’ legacy is firmly established, his recent performances indicate that his peak years are behind him.
As the UFC continues to promote major events, the focus will remain on whether Jones can return to form or if this retirement reversal marks the final chapter of his storied career. Meanwhile, Khabib’s unwavering stance on retirement emphasizes the value of knowing when to exit the sport at the top.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. The hearing showed that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites, which are in Tadalafil, a drug for erectile dysfunction that Jones admitted to using.