The landscape of the UFC heavyweight division has shifted dramatically, but a potential super-fight thought lost might be back on. Just weeks after announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts, former two-time UFC Heavyweight champion Jon jones has made a stunning move, re-entering the promotion’s mandatory drug testing pool. This abrupt U-turn ignites fervent speculation that the highly anticipated clash against newly crowned undisputed champion Tom aspinall could still happen.
Jones’s initial retirement announcement came in late June 2025, roughly 600 days after Aspinall first captured the interim title. During that span, the unification bout that fans clamored for never materialized. Instead, Jones defended his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024, securing a third-round TKO victory via a powerful spinning back kick. (Miocic’s manager later confirmed the former champ did not suffer broken ribs from the impactful strike, contrary to some rumors). Aspinall, meanwhile, defended his interim belt, solidifying his claim as the top contender. Following Jones’s retirement, Aspinall was officially promoted to the undisputed champion, seemingly closing the door on the long-awaited matchup.
A Shocking U-Turn: Back in the Testing Pool
However, just two weeks after stepping away, Jones sent shockwaves through the MMA world. He publicly announced via social media that he had re-entered the USADA testing pool. This action is a non-negotiable requirement for any fighter planning to compete in the UFC, signaling that a return to the octagon is now a tangible possibility. Jones’s manager, Malki Kawa, corroborated the news, adding fuel to the comeback fire. Jones himself commented that he was simply “keeping everyone’s options open,” suggesting his brief hiatus was precisely that – brief.
The White House Connection?
Adding intrigue to the timing of Jones’s decision is speculation surrounding a potential, unprecedented UFC event proposed for the White House in July 2026, coinciding with the USA’s 250th birthday. Reports suggest a potential USA vs. England theme, immediately positioning Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall as a dream headliner for such a monumental card. Jones, who has a public history with President Donald Trump, including presenting his belt to him after UFC 309, reacted positively to the idea on social media. While Jones hasn’t explicitly confirmed the White House event as his target, the prospect offers a grand stage that could certainly lure a legend like ‘Bones’ out of retirement.
Expert Opinions on the Potential Superfight
If the fight does happen, the outcome is a subject of intense debate among analysts and fellow fighters. Two prominent voices, former UFC champion Leon Edwards and Jones’s career rival Daniel Cormier, offer starkly different predictions.
Leon Edwards’ Perspective: A Return and an Aspinall Win
Leon Edwards, the former Welterweight Champion and a fellow Brit like Aspinall, expressed disappointment that the fight didn’t happen sooner but remains optimistic about its future. Edwards firmly believes Jones will return to fight Aspinall, speculating that the retirement announcement might have been a strategic move to negotiate better terms with the UFC. “I reckon he’ll come back, definitely,” Edwards stated, anticipating the superfight. Despite calling Jones the “GOAT,” Edwards surprisingly leans towards Aspinall winning a potential heavyweight clash. He feels Aspinall’s natural heavyweight frame provides a significant advantage in that specific division, potentially overwhelming even the legendary Jones.
Daniel Cormier’s Take: Jones Wins… If Fought Now
In contrast, Jon Jones’s long-time rival, Daniel Cormier, presents a different perspective. While acknowledging Aspinall’s dominant performances, Cormier believes that Jones would defeat Aspinall if the fight were to happen right now. Cormier’s core argument centers on Aspinall’s relative lack of experience in the deep waters of championship rounds (rounds 3, 4, and 5). Aspinall’s UFC career has been marked by incredibly fast finishes, often within the first round. His longest fight lasted just over six minutes, and he has only once made it past the first round, never having “gotten off the stool for a third round,” as Cormier put it.
Cormier contrasts this with the unique physical and mental demands of fighting for 25 minutes, citing examples like Francis Ngannou visibly struggling in later rounds against Stipe Miocic in their first fight before gaining that experience. Cormier argues that the time for Jones to capitalize on Aspinall’s inexperience was before Aspinall potentially faces an opponent who can push him into those later rounds, allowing him to develop crucial cardio and strategic adjustments under fatigue.
The Heavyweight Division Landscape
With Aspinall now the undisputed champion, the division must move forward, whether or not Jones makes his return for the title immediately. Several contenders are vying for the first shot at Aspinall’s belt. Jailton Almeida, ranked #6, has been particularly vocal, arguing that he is the most logical next opponent. Almeida points to his impressive 8-1 UFC record with numerous first-round finishes and dismisses other contenders like #2 ranked Ciryl Gane, whom he claims has previously avoided him and Aspinall. Almeida also notes Gane has had two failed title attempts and had a controversial recent victory. Daniel Cormier agrees that Gane and Almeida are the primary options for Aspinall’s next fight, ruling out others like Alexander Volkov, whom Aspinall has already defeated. While other names like Alex Pereira are sometimes floated, Almeida appears to be aggressively campaigning for the opportunity to face the undisputed champion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jon Jones retired or returning to the UFC?
After announcing his retirement in June 2025, Jon Jones made a surprising move just two weeks later by re-entering the USADA drug testing pool. This is a mandatory step for any fighter wishing to compete in the UFC, strongly indicating that he is considering a return to fighting, despite not making a definitive announcement about his next step or opponent.
Who do experts predict would win between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall?
Expert opinions are split. Former champion Leon Edwards believes Jon Jones will return and predicts Tom Aspinall would win the fight, citing Aspinall’s size advantage in the heavyweight division. Conversely, rival-turned-analyst Daniel Cormier feels Jon Jones would win if the fight happened currently, primarily due to Tom Aspinall’s lack of experience in championship-length rounds (never having gone past the second round in the UFC).
What’s next for Tom Aspinall now that he’s champion?
Tom Aspinall is now the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion and is expected to make his first title defense. While a potential fight with Jon Jones is highly anticipated following Jones’s re-entry into the testing pool, other contenders are lining up. Number six ranked Jailton Almeida is actively calling out Aspinall, presenting himself as the most deserving challenger over fighters like Ciryl Gane, who has already had two title shots.
Conclusion
Jon Jones’s brief retirement and rapid re-entry into the testing pool have thrown the UFC heavyweight division into fascinating uncertainty. Tom Aspinall sits atop the division, a dominant force hungry for legacy-defining fights. The long-speculated superfight against Jones, once seemingly impossible, is now back on the table, potentially fueled by the prospect of a historic event like a White House card. While experts like Leon Edwards and Daniel Cormier offer conflicting views on who would win, the potential clash remains one of the biggest matchups in MMA. The coming months will reveal whether ‘Bones’ truly intends to return and if he will ultimately cross paths with the young champion he never fought during his first reign.