For a man used to living under the spotlight, Jon Jones knows how to shift attention. And just when headlines seemed ready to bury him, the UFC legend decided to flip the narrative. Just weeks ago, ‘Bones’ confirmed what many had suspected, he was stepping away from MMA. Yet, in a series of subsequent posts on social media, he announced that he was back in the UFC testing pool. And just like that, the waves of speculation began.
Now, he’s shifting the focus once more, not with a fight announcement or another cryptic hint, but with an invitation that speaks volumes.
In a recent post on Instagram, Jones shared, “Albuquerque families! You’re invited to the 5th Annual @c.a.r.e.project Book Bag Giveaway! Come grab a FREE fully packed book bag, enjoy a paleta, vibe with some good music, and don’t be shy, snag a photo with us too! Let’s start the school year off strong & together. See you there!”
Let’s pause here for a second. The message may have been brief, but it’s timing? That has raised eyebrows. After calling UFC CEO Dana White to announce his retirement, the 37-year-old shared a reflective note on social media, hinting at a chapter closed. But retirement didn’t bring peace. As the MMA sphere reeled from the news of his retirement, The Albuquerque Journal reported a new legal hurdle. A criminal summons now awaits Jones for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident.
While the incident adds to his long list of troubles outside the Octagon, this book bag giveaway might not be just another PR stunt. It’s a tradition. It’s the fifth year in a row Jones has opened his arms to Albuquerque families. Through the C.A.R.E. Project, a nonprofit he founded in 2020, Jones has been putting in real work for his city.
Back in 2021, the former UFC champion explained, “I just wanted to do something good. Throughout the pandemic, I felt like the world was getting so far away from God. So what I did here in Albuquerque was that I found a group of people that came from so many different backgrounds and races and political viewpoints. I got them to rally together for the C.A.R.E. foundation, where we just give back and show God’s love.”
His past efforts have included giving out $500 gift cards to 50 families during the holidays and footing a $250 Walmart shopping spree for 100 households in need. After winning at UFC 285, Jon Jones even promised his $50,000 bonus would go straight into local community service for the city of Albuquerque.
So, amidst the noise surrounding his decision to retire, then making a U-turn on it weeks later and the shadow of another legal hurdle hanging above him, Jones has decided to focus on giving back to the community instead. Yet, according to one critic, even his charity efforts may not be enough to wash away the doubts surrounding his flip-flopping on his retirement.
Jon Jones warned about his recent antics giving more weight to the “ducking” Tom Aspinall narrative
UFC legend Matt Brown has thrown the gauntlet. On The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, Brown didn’t hold back. He admitted to being a massive fan of Jon Jones and even defended the champ for years. But this time? He says the optics are hard to ignore.
According to Brown, “I’m as big a Jon Jones fan as anybody. I’ve always defended he’s not afraid of Tom, he’s willing to fight anybody. It’s hard to not fall into that narrative here though.”
The issue? Tom Aspinall was promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion once Jones announced his retirement. But just as the British powerhouse began his reign, ‘Bones’ made another pivot, re-entering the UFC’s testing pool. The reason? A possible 2026 UFC event at the White House as announced by President Donald Trump. While that may have enticed Jones to return, Brown doesn’t buy it.
He shared, “Maybe that got him motivated and sparked his interest enough. But I’ll tell you this looks bad, in my opinion. The dude was kicking people’s as— while on coc—-. I’ve done enough coc—- to know, I could not do that. Respect, Jon, you are a bad mo—–. But this looks like ducking.”
It’s not the first time Jones has faced these accusations. Ever since the delays in booking the long-anticipated matchup with Aspinall, fans have questioned if he was purposely avoiding the Brit. In the end, Jon Jones remains as polarizing as ever. One moment, he’s handing out backpacks and giving hope to Albuquerque families.
The next, he’s under fire for what some see as a calculated dodge of Tom Aspinall. While his actions off the mat show a man committed to helping his community, the timing of his retirement U-turn has only deepened the suspicion around his true intentions. Is he truly chasing legacy or simply rewriting the script on his own terms? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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