Jon Jones is gearing up for his return to the Octagon.
It’s been more than a year since ‘Bones’ captured the heavyweight world title at UFC 285 with a quick first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane. Originally, Jones was expected to defend his crown in November against consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic, but a torn pectoral muscle while training forced Jones to bow out of the bout.
Despite the long delay and the introduction of an interim champion, Jones has remained adamant that he will fight Miocic before any unification talks take place.
No official announcements have been made, but Jones once again hinted that this year’s MSG card on November 9 will host his heavyweight title tilt with Miocic via a video on Instagram.
“260 pounds 16 weeks away from fighting the most decorated Heavyweight in UFC history,” Jones said. “I feel like I’m in a great spot right before training camp ramps up. My form is far from perfect in these videos, but I’m happy with it considering the surgeries I recently had. 16 more weeks to become the beast, that’s exactly what I will do. #Champion2024.
“Tomorrow I’ll be 37 years old, still in the gym, still putting my health on the line, still competing in one of the worlds most difficult sports. I’m proud of myself.”
Will Tom Aspinall Ever Get to Fight Jon Jones?
Meanwhile, interim champ Tom Aspinall will become the first fighter in more than a decade to defend a temporary title, squaring off with Curtis Blaydes in the UFC 304 co-main event on Saturday, July 27.
Aspinall and Blaydes have met once before, though their fight lasted only a few seconds as the UK star went down almost immediately due to a freak knee injury.
Even once ‘Bones’ and Miocic settle their business, it’s unclear if the winner will actually move on to unify their title with Aspinall’s. Miocic will be 42 years old by the time he fights Jones and ‘Bones’ has openly discussed retiring once his fight with the two-time titleholder is in the books—believing his legacy as the greatest of all time will be undeniable by defeating the most credentialed heavyweight in UFC history.
If UFC 309 truly is the end of Jon Jones’ iconic MMA career, look back at some of his most epic moments below:
