It appears Jon Jones won’t be stepping onto the wrestling mats anytime soon for a showdown with Daniel Cormier. For months, the longtime rivals have flirted with the idea of a grappling match under Real American Freestyle rules, with Cormier an Olympic wrestler insisting he would dominate Jones if the former two-division UFC champion crossed into his world. Jones, however, says lingering injuries from his MMA career have effectively shut the door on that possibility.
“I have severe arthritis and most people don’t know that,” Jones said in a video posted to social media. “My left hip is covered in arthritis. I actually already qualify for a hip replacement. My last training camp, I went to bed in so much pain.”
Wear and Tear Adds Up
Jones’ most recent appearance came in 2024, when he finished Stipe Miocic to successfully defend the UFC heavyweight title. He later relinquished the belt after losing interest in unifying it with interim champion Tom Aspinall, announcing his retirement soon after.
That retirement didn’t last long. Jones reversed course and signaled his intention to fight again, expressing interest in competing on the UFC’s planned White House card in June. Still, Dana White has publicly cooled on the idea, citing concerns about reliability and the importance of the event.
With no matchups announced yet, Jones technically remains in the mix. Wrestling, though, is another matter entirely.
Priorities Shift
While the rivalry with Cormier has never fully cooled, Jones made it clear he has more pressing concerns than settling old scores on the mat.
“I have a three-year-old baby boy,” Jones said. “I want to use what I’ve got left in my hips to play with his ass.”
Between chronic injuries and shifting life priorities, Jones seems content to leave the grappling challenge behind at least where Cormier is concerned even as questions about his fighting future remain unanswered.
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
