Jon Jones (28-1, 1 NC) fired back at Islam Makhachev (29-1) after the UFC welterweight champion criticized his history of failed drug tests, defending his record on X and taking aim at Makhachev’s lone career loss.
“Let’s start this week by dispelling rumors that have been spread by people chasing me:
If you believe USADA for finding a picogram in my system, then you must believe USADA when they say ‘It was not found to be PERFORMANCE ENHANCING or INTENTIONAL.’ You can’t have it both ways.
Last I checked, my hand got raised every time I was in the Octagon since any of you can remember.
Your own coach said I was ‘a gift from God.’
Let’s not forget you’ve been KO’d, flat-lined, went night night.
DC I kicked you in the head LOL; keep telling yourself it was steroids. Whatever you need to tell yourselves to sleep better at night, go for it. Keep chasing; it’s lonely at the top, Islam, hopefully I’ll see you up here one day,” Jones wrote.
Jones’ 2017 knockout victory over Daniel Cormier was later overturned to a no-contest following a failed drug test, while Makhachev’s only professional loss came by first-round knockout against Adriano Martins in 2015.
Makhachev responded without backing away from his criticism, instead pointing to Jones’ broader history of rule violations.
“Jon, I’m not trying to diminish your achievements in any way. But your whole life seems to be tied to breaking the rules one way or another, and somehow, you’re never the one to be blamed,” Makhachev wrote.
Jones has not fought since defeating Stipe Miocic in November 2024. He vacated the UFC heavyweight title in June 2025 but has continued to leave the door open to a potential return.
Makhachev, meanwhile, successfully defended his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 last month. The victory was his 17th consecutive UFC win, breaking Anderson Silva’s previous record of 16.