Everyone wants to know when the GOAT last stepped into the cage. If you’re looking for the quick answer, Jon Jones last fight date was November 16, 2024.
It wasn't just some regular Tuesday night at the office, either. He headlined UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, the kind of legendary venue that fits a guy like "Bones." He was defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, who most people consider the best heavyweight to ever do it.
The build-up felt like it took forever. Honestly, it kind of did. They were supposed to fight a year earlier, but Jones blew out his pectoral muscle training and had to go through a massive surgery and months of grueling rehab. People were literally screaming for him to fight Tom Aspinall instead, calling him a "duck" and saying he was scared of the younger generation.
Then the fight actually happened.
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The Night at Madison Square Garden
Jones didn't look like a guy who had been sitting on his couch for a year. He looked sharp. He looked heavy, but fast.
In the first round, he took Stipe down and just started raining these brutal elbows. You could see the size difference. Jones has this weird way of making world-class athletes look like they’ve never wrestled before. Stipe survived, but he looked like he’d been through a car wash by the time he got back to his stool.
The end came in the third round.
Jones landed this spinning back kick to the ribs that sounded like a baseball bat hitting a side of beef. Miocic folded. It was over. TKO at 4:29 of Round 3. Just like that, Jones cemented why he’s still the king, even if half the internet was mad he wasn't fighting Aspinall yet.
Why Jon Jones Last Fight Date Still Matters in 2026
You’d think a win like that would be enough. But in the fight world, "what have you done for me lately" is the only thing that matters.
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After the Miocic fight, things got weird.
Jon basically vanished again. In June 2025, he actually called Dana White and told him he was retiring. He vacated the heavyweight title. The UFC immediately promoted Tom Aspinall to the undisputed champion. It felt like the end of an era.
But if you know Jon, he can’t stay away from the spotlight for long.
The "Retirement" That Wasn't
He spent most of late 2025 teasing a comeback. He started posting training footage again. Then, he got into these wild back-and-forths with Alex Pereira on social media.
Recently, the chatter has shifted to this massive "White House card" scheduled for mid-2026 to celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary. Jones wants on it. He’s been telling Pereira to "be careful what he wishes for," which is classic Jon.
He’s even signed on to coach a Russian reality series (ALF) against his old rival Daniel Cormier. They aren’t going to fight—Cormier is way past his prime and happy behind a microphone—but the drama is still there. It's like they're destined to be enemies forever.
The Stats Nobody Talks About
People get caught up in the drama and the "last fight date" stuff, but the technical side of what he did at UFC 309 is insane.
- Total Control: He had over 70% of the control time in that fight.
- The Kick: That spinning back kick wasn't just lucky. Joe Rogan recently broke it down with Ben Affleck on his podcast, explaining how Jones basically "engineered" that move specifically for Stipe’s stance.
- Title Record: That win was his 15th title fight victory. Nobody else is even close.
It’s easy to hate on the guy because of his history outside the cage. The legal issues, the failed tests—it’s all part of the story. But inside those eight walls? He’s a different species.
What’s Next for Jon Jones?
Right now, as we sit here in January 2026, Jon is technically retired but functionally "active" in the rumor mill. He’s re-entered the drug testing pool, which is the biggest sign that a fight is coming.
The UFC hasn't officially booked his return yet.
If he comes back, it’s probably for a "Super Fight" against Alex Pereira or a legacy-defining unification bout with Tom Aspinall.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you’re trying to keep up with his return, don’t just watch the official UFC accounts. Watch his personal Instagram stories. He usually leaks his training camps there weeks before the media gets a whiff of it. Also, keep an eye on the June 2026 "White House" event rumors—if that happens, Jon will be the one they want in the main event.
Basically, the jon jones last fight date in 2024 was a masterpiece, but it probably wasn't the final chapter of the book.