Jon Jones’ potential return to the UFC has been overshadowed by a recent diagnosis, but that might not be the final chapter of his story.
Jones is still working towards a return to the Octagon, even though his push for a comeback at what is expected to be the biggest UFC event of 2026 continues to meet resistance.
After retiring as heavyweight champion last year, speculation over an event at the White House quickly pulled him back into the spotlight. Even so, Dana White dismissed any plans for a Jones comeback, questioning his reliability for such a high-profile event in Washington D.C.
Despite White’s comments, Jones has been vocal about wanting to face Alex Pereira on June 14. But that campaign hit another snag with this latest health update.
Jon Jones insists ‘severe arthritis’ will not keep him from UFC return
Jones has been spending more time around Dirty Boxing lately, appearing at events alongside Mike Perry. While backstage at the promotion’s fifth event last Saturday, he was filmed talking about his health situation.
The video, posted by TikTok user ‘Noah The Boah’, captured ‘Bones’ chatting with Joaquin Buckley about some of his ongoing health issues.
In the clip, Jones shared that he is dealing with severe arthritis in his left hip and is actually eligible for a replacement. That news had plenty of fans questioning whether we would see him fight again.
Addressing the situation through TMZ, the 38-year-old star confirmed that the conversation was filmed without his knowledge and explained what the diagnosis means for his fighting future.
“Looks like a private conversation I had at DBX 5 in Houston made its way out into the wild. It happens. Like most fighters, we deal with injuries quietly sometimes and like in my case, for years. A lot of us walk around limping most days, paying the ultimate price for our health,” he began by saying.
“If you’re wondering whether it’s true, it is. I’m grateful for all my battle scars, and if I could do it all over again, I absolutely would without hesitation. It’s been what I wake up for in my career everyday.
“Even after becoming one of the most accomplished fighters in the history of the sport, my critics still give me grief about slowing down over the past few years. That’s called living to fight another day taking the lessons learned and applying them to business instead of the Octagon. It’s called evolution.
“The UFC knows the extent of my arthritis. They also know that if I were to put it all on the line one last time and endure that level of pain, the reward would have to be something special and something more than a fat payday. For me, that was and is still the White House.
“Whether that fight happens or not, my career has been one for the ages and nothing short of legendary. I left a big part of myself in that Octagon, and I’m grateful for every bit of it. And don’t get it twisted, I’ll still kick 99% of your asses out there. Still putting up big numbers under the squat rack. Still training. Still outworking most of you… just maybe after a proper warm-up and a good stretch.
“God bless. Jon Jones”
Jon Jones’ fate could be settled soon when the UFC finalise White House card
White has said that fight selections for the White House event would start the week following UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
Speaking during the opening fight week of 2026, the UFC boss also mentioned that the full lineup for the June 14 celebration should be locked in by the end of February.
That gives Jones and his supporters a clear timeline. It will not be long before we know if he will get another chance to step into the Octagon.
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