Jon Jones’ days in the UFC are numbered.
Over the weekend, Dana White finally confirmed that ‘Bones’ would return to the Octagon on Saturday, November 16 to defend his undisputed heavyweight title against the division’s undisputed GOAT, Stipe Miocic.
Originally the bout was scheduled to go down around the same time last year, but a torn pectoral muscle forced Jones to bow out of the bout. A year later, they’ll finally meet in the world’s most famous arena, even if fight fans aren’t particularly thrilled by the pairing. Over the last several months, pundits have been clamoring for Jones to abandon his previously made plans with Miocic in favor of a far more intriguing scrap with current interim heavyweight titleholder, Tom Aspinall.
Unfortunately, it sounds like whether it’s win or lose for Jones in NYC, the former light heavyweight champion is ready to lay down his gloves and walk away without giving Aspinall his moment in the spotlight.
“I feel very great. I feel really, really good. 250 pounds lean and strong. It’s gonna be the last time,” Jones told Clocked ‘N’ Loaded when asked if he’d fight again after UFC 309. “Gonna be the last time more than likely.”
Jon Jones says his fight with Stipe Miocic will “more than likely” be his retirement fight
“It’s gonna be the last time.”
🎥 @ClockedNload #UFC #MMA #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/MCYF9B5fQX
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 16, 2024
Tom Aspinall Reacts to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic Announcement
Reacting to news of the official announcement, Aspinall reiterated his desire to be the official backup for the UFC 309 headliner just in case either Jones or Miocic withdraw in the 11th hour.
“The heavyweight titles on the line at long last. Finally, we are confirmed for it,” Aspinall reacted to Jones vs. Miocic being announced on his YouTube channel. “Will be there to watch these two gentlemen go at it. I, of course, have told the UFC, if anybody gets injured or there’s any other reason why nobody can make it to that fight, why one of them might pull out, I’m ready to go.
“If I need to, I’ll fight both of them in the same night. No problem. Give me my undisputed title because, in my opinion, there should not be two champions in one weight division. I think that is silly. This is not what UFC is about. This is not what MMA is about. There’s one guy, each weight division, and I believe it’s me. So, I’ll be fighting the winner…”
Sadly, it sounds like a late withdrawal from Miocic is the only way we’ll ever get to see the fight fans really want.
Watch the full video below:
