UFC Legend and Union-Endicott Grad Jon Jones Shocks Fans with Retirement

Jon Jones might’ve been born in Rochester, but here in the Southern Tier, we claim him as one of our own.

A proud graduate of Union-Endicott High School, Jones first made a name for himself as a standout wrestler, even though his original dream was to follow his football playing brothers Arthur and Chandler. Wrestling turned out to be the path that led him to greatness and what a journey it’s been.

The Official Goodbye

On Saturday, UFC President Dana White announced that Jones has officially retired from professional fighting. The news came as fans waited to hear whether Jones would face interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall in a long anticipated title unification fight. Instead, Jones called it a career, and White didn’t hesitate: “Jon Jones has officially retired.”

Jones, now 37, later confirmed the decision on social media, saying, “This decision comes after a lot of reflection… Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.”

An Unmatched Legacy

Jones retires with a jaw-dropping record of 28-1-0, his only “loss” being a controversial disqualification that even the UFC President and his opponent disagreed with. He became the youngest champion in UFC history at just 23 years old when he beat Maurício “Shogun” Rua. He then went on to dominate the light heavyweight division for nearly a decade.

In 2023, after three years away from the octagon, Jones returned in stunning form to capture the heavyweight title, solidifying his reputation as one of the most dominant and versatile fighters in MMA history.

Two Divisions, One Legend

Jones is one of only four fighters in UFC history to win and defend titles in two different weight classes. He ruled the light heavyweight division from 2011 to 2015, then again from 2018 to 2020, before moving up and winning the heavyweight title in 2023. His ability to not just compete, but dominate, across weight classes is part of what makes him widely considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

The End of a Heavyweight Era

The UFC’s heavyweight division had been on hold for months, with fans hoping Jones would return for one more fight, possibly against Tom Aspinall. A recent petition to strip Jones of his title if he didn’t agree to a fight soon racked up nearly 200,000 signatures.

Even Dana White admitted they’d tried everything to entice Jones back in. “We can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight,” he said. “But if Jon doesn’t want to fight, we can’t make him fight.”

Now, the division moves forward without him. Aspinall will be featured front and center during UFC’s International Fight Week as the promotion figures out the next chapter.

A New Chapter Begins

Though he’s stepping away from fighting, Jones isn’t disappearing. In his statement, he hinted at staying involved in the sport and inspiring the next generation. For fans in the Southern Tier, his story is a source of pride, from wrestling mats in Endicott to world championship belts on the global stage.

From Local Standout to Global Icon

Jon Jones’ retirement marks the end of an era, but his journey from a New York high school athlete to the most accomplished fighter in UFC history is something that will continue to inspire athletes in the Southern Tier and beyond.

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Whether you followed his career from day one or caught on during one of his epic comebacks, there’s no denying Jon Jones left his mark and it all started right here in our backyard.