Khabib Nurmagomedov expressed the view that Jon Jones has passed the peak of his UFC career, noting that although Jones announced his retirement in June, he may return to fight on a UFC White House event scheduled for July 2026. This potential comeback has sparked divided reactions among fans, as Jones’ exit was clouded by controversy despite his remarkable achievements.
For more than a year, Jones was linked to a highly anticipated fight against Tom Aspinall to unify the heavyweight title with Aspinall’s interim belt. Both fighters defended their titles successfully in 2024, but the fight between them failed to materialize.
Khabib’s Views on Jones’ Declining Prime and Decision to Retire
Nurmagomedov praised Jones as
“the best fighter in UFC history,”
yet emphasized that Jones likely chose the right moment to step away from competition. Speaking in Russian, with translation provided by Hustle Show, Khabib noted,
“I mean, he’s, like, 38 now. 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? One or two in five years. He’s been done for a while, and even those last [light heavyweight] fights—[Thiago] Santos and [Dominick] Reyes—they were controversial. You know, kind of, his prime was clearly behind him. Then he fought Ciryl Gane. I think they just gave him the money. That’s it. Everyone has their prime and his was long past.”
Khabib also addressed the ongoing debate about whether Jones should have fought Aspinall, stating it will remain an open question. He added,
“So whether or not he should’ve fought Aspinall, that question will probably always be out there. But that’s one question. Another is when Aspinall completes his career and Jon Jones finishes his only then will people understand their levels. Then we’ll really be able to compare. For Aspinall to reach Jones’ level, his legacy, that’ll be extremely hard. Very difficult.”
Jon Jones’ Career Achievements and Controversies
Jones boasts one of the most notable records in combat sports, with no clear losses in 30 professional bouts. He dominated the UFC light heavyweight division from 2011 to 2020 before moving to heavyweight, where he claimed the title in 2023 with a submission victory over Ciryl Gane. His last fight was a successful heavyweight title defense against future Hall of Famer Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
However, Jones’ career has been marred by off-ring issues, including a hit-and-run incident in 2015 that led to him being stripped of his UFC title. He has also faced suspensions for failed drug tests in 2016 and 2018, with the latter suspension nullifying his knockout win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, which was changed to a no-contest.
Khabib on the Complexity of Jon Jones’ Legacy
While acknowledging Jones’ mixed reputation, Nurmagomedov stated,
“It’s really hard to compare anyone to Jon Jones,”
and added,
“And I don’t know why people reacted the way they did. As a fighter, I never had questions about him.”
He further elaborated on the difference between achievement and legacy in the UFC:
“No, in the UFC, achievements and legacy are different things. I think a lot of people confuse those two concepts. As far as achievements go, no one can compare to Jon Jones in the UFC right now. And it’ll be very hard for anyone in the near future. So what is legacy? It’s when, let’s say, kids, they look at you, and they feel inspired by you. That’s what legacy means. When they try to imitate you. When a kid sees you and thinks, ‘I want to be like him.’ … There have always been and always will be questions about [Jones’] behavior, his character, and so on. But we’re not talking about that now, we’re talking about his greatness as a fighter. As a fighter, he’s the best.”
Regarding Jones as a person, Khabib said,
“As a person—in terms of inspiration, character—when it comes to personal qualities, I think there will always be questions, always. But I don’t want to ask those questions, because I don’t want to judge him, to say he’s good or bad. As an athlete, he reached greatness. And to me, as someone who also fought in the UFC, he has no equal. There will always be questions about doping, whether he was caught or not. And yes, he was caught. It’s a fact, what, like three times? But as a fighter, he’s an amazing fighter.”
The Relationship Between Khabib, Daniel Cormier, and Jon Jones
Discussing Jones from a personal standpoint has been complicated for Nurmagomedov, who is a close friend and frequent training partner of Daniel Cormier, Jones’ fiercest rival. Khabib explained,
“As for personal relationships, my friend always clashed with him, there was always tension, so I couldn’t have a close relationship with [Jones],”
before adding,
“And I never did, and never planned to because I always took Cormier’s side. But when we talked about pure skills—me and Cormier—I know that Cormier himself holds Jon Jones’ fighting skills in high regard.”
The Lasting Impact of Jon Jones’ Career
Jon Jones’ record and longevity in top-tier competition have secured his place as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the UFC. Despite the setbacks, his achievements remain unmatched for the foreseeable future. Khabib’s reflections highlight the complexity of separating an athlete’s personal controversies from their in-cage accomplishments, especially in Jones’ case.
With Jones contemplating a return in 2026, there remains considerable interest in his career’s next chapter. Meanwhile, comparisons with rising stars like Tom Aspinall will continue to spark debate about the future of the heavyweight division and what legacy fighters can set for generations to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was found that Jones had positive test results for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These substances are present in Tadalafil, a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, which Jones admitted to using.
Q. What has Jon Jones tested positive for?
A. He was found to have Turinabol, an anabolic steroid, in his system. As a consequence, he received a temporary suspension.