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Jon Jones Officially Back in UFC Drug Testing Pool

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Aug 10, 2025 9:05 AM ET

Jon Jones has taken another step toward an Octagon return, ending his brief retirement and re-entering the UFC’s anti-doping program. The former two-division champion at heavyweight and light heavyweight. Announced his retirement earlier this year, only to reverse course just two weeks later. His change of heart came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed plans to host a UFC event at the White House in 2026. That announcement, Jones said, reignited his competitive fire despite having vacated the heavyweight title, which was then claimed by Tom Aspinall as the undisputed champion.

Back in the Testing Pool

When fighters retire, they’re automatically removed from the UFC’s anti-doping program. By submitting to testing again, Jones has officially rejoined the pool, registering his third sample of 2025.

Under standard UFC policy, athletes coming out of retirement must complete six months of testing before returning to competition. It’s unclear whether the UFC would grant Jones an exemption, given the extremely short gap between his retirement and return.

As of today, Jon Jones is officially back in the UFC drug-testing pool pic.twitter.com/IrYEL65Nz4

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) August 8, 2025

Eyes on a White House Fight

Jones has hinted that his comeback will be tied to the proposed White House UFC event in July 2026. In the past, he’s said he wants to fight the “best heavyweight” available, but has notably avoided mentioning Aspinall by name. That’s because he believes that Francis Ngannou is the best heavyweight fighter outside of himself.

Aspinall, meanwhile, is set to defend his title against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321 this October in Abu Dhabi. The winner could be a natural choice for Jones’ next opponent if the UFC and its timelines align.

What’s Next

Whether Jones returns sooner or waits until the 2026 White House card, his re-entry into the testing pool signals that his fighting career isn’t done yet. And with the heavyweight division heating up, the prospect of Jones facing either Aspinall or Gane would mark one of the sport’s biggest matchups in years.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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