Jon Jones Called Ilia Topuria His Top GOAT Threat

Jon Jones says Ilia Topuria was the biggest threat to his case as the greatest fighter in UFC history before Topuria's title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.

Jones, who retired after knocking out Stipe Miocic to defend the heavyweight title at UFC 309, made the comments in a recent interview with Prince Street Pizza. He said he viewed Topuria as close to unbeatable heading into that White House card, and that part of him did not want to see the former two-division champion keep climbing toward GOAT territory.

"Before that White House card, I looked at him as [invincible]," Jones said. "As bad as I want other fighters to come and beat my records and become the next greatest, there's another side of me that wants to hold onto that for my kids' sake and my family's honor. Honestly, I thought Ilia would be the first threat to be considered the greatest of all time, and then we saw what happened to him."

What Jones Said About Topuria's Loss to Gaethje

Jones made clear the Gaethje result changed his read on Topuria's GOAT trajectory, even though his respect for the fighter himself hasn't wavered. Topuria had run through the featherweight division and then moved up to take the lightweight title before Gaethje upset him, a result that immediately reshaped the division and cooled the hype train that had Topuria mentioned alongside Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov in GOAT conversations.

Jones still praised Topuria's overall package, pointing to his boxing, power and confidence as reasons he became "a big Ilia fan." He also complimented how Topuria carries himself outside competition, noting he comes from a well-off family and doesn't need the money, which Jones framed as proof Topuria fights out of love for the sport rather than necessity.

What This Means for Topuria's Next Move

Topuria's response to his first professional loss will shape how the lightweight division, and the broader GOAT conversation, looks over the next year. A clean, dominant return would put him right back in that championship-threat conversation Jones described. Anything less, and questions about whether the knockout power and composure that carried him through featherweight and into the lightweight title translate against the toughest competition at 155 pounds will only get louder.

From a betting perspective, Topuria's market value took a hit the moment he lost his title, and oddsmakers will be watching closely for signs of how he looks physically and mentally in his first fight back. Fighters coming off a first career loss, especially a shocking one, often get priced as moderate favorites rather than the overwhelming lines Topuria commanded during his unbeaten run, since the loss introduces real uncertainty that wasn't priced in before. Until a Topuria return is officially booked, sportsbooks don't have a number to set, but expect his odds in any future fight to reflect a slightly more cautious market than the near-lock pricing he enjoyed as featherweight champion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jon Jones call Ilia Topuria a threat to his GOAT status?

Jon Jones said that before Ilia Topuria lost his lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, he viewed Topuria as nearly invincible and the first fighter who could realistically challenge his claim as the greatest of all time.

Did Ilia Topuria lose his UFC title?

Yes, Ilia Topuria lost the UFC lightweight championship in an upset to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, which Jon Jones said changed his outlook on Topuria's GOAT case.

Is Jon Jones still fighting in the UFC?

No, Jon Jones retired from MMA after knocking out Stipe Miocic to defend the heavyweight title at UFC 309.