hunter campbell came into focus on Friday night after Jon Jones said he had spoken with the UFC executive at a Dirty Boxing event in Miami. Jones said he feels good physically, even after telling Red Corner MMA that his gloves are hung up and he is done fighting.
Jones Says He Feels Better After Recent Treatment
Jones linked his latest update to a stem cell treatment he took before the White House card was created. He said the effects are starting to come through and that he feels really good physically, a notable shift after previous comments about severe arthritis and other health concerns.
The conversation with hunter campbell matters because it came after Jones publicly asked the UFC to release him when he was left off the June 14 lineup. Jones has now gone back and forth on retirement more than once, leaving his next move uncertain even as he says he is open to whatever comes next.
Jones also said his current focus is not on forcing a decision. He said he wants to stay centered on coaching Gable Steveson, who is set to wrestle at RAF 9 on May 30 and is expected to sign with the UFC in the near future.
What Jones Told Hunter Campbell
Jones said, “We had that conversation tonight, ” referring to his exchange with hunter campbell. He added that he did not want pressure on anything right now and that he wanted to focus on coaching Gable before thinking about the future.
His comments arrive after a stretch of uncertainty that has followed his most recent fight in November 2024, when he defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 to defend the heavyweight title. Since then, Jones has floated retirement, reopened the possibility of fighting again, and then stepped back from that stance.
The Retirement Picture Remains Unclear
Jones first gave the clearest public sign of retirement when he said, “My gloves are hung up… no more fighter Jon Jones. ” That statement looked definitive at the time, but the latest conversation with hunter campbell suggests the final word may still not be settled.
UFC CEO Dana White has said Jones retired because of his hips and described arthritis and a possible hip replacement as factors in the situation. Jones, meanwhile, has said he felt ready to step in and has also voiced frustration over how negotiations unfolded around a possible return.
For now, the immediate picture is simple: Jones says he feels better, hunter campbell is part of the discussion, and the former champion is not rushing himself into a final call. The next update may depend on whether Jones decides the door is still open, or whether hunter campbell and the UFC move on without him.
