UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been sidelined since tearing a pectoral tendon while preparing to take on former two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic last November. Recovered enough to be back in the gym training, Jones is expected to meet Miocic later this year.
If he wins, Jones will have choices to make. He could call it a career and walk away. He could take on interim champion Tom Aspinall in a unification bout, or he could face light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira in a super fight.
Last week, Jones wrote on social media that a fight against Pereira would be ‘massive’ and ‘the biggest fight in MMA history.’ On Thursday, Jones reiterated that he’s fighting Miocic in his return but was unsure who he’ll face after that.
“I’m in the middle of a pretty clear decision… stick to exact and original plans, and fight the man with all the accolades. Or, completely disregard all of the Stipe training I’ve put in and fight another potential hype train that may not even be around in three years,” Jones wrote on X. “I am not changing my plans for anyone. Stipe is over there as the best heavyweight ever working his ass off. I’m gonna give that man what he wants, and I’m going to claim another head. Whatever comes next comes next.”
I’m in the middle of a pretty clear decision… stick to exact and original plans, and fight the man with all the accolades. Or, completely disregard all of the Stipe training I’ve put in and fight another potential hype train that may not even be around in three years.
I am not…— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 9, 2024
In follow up posts, Jones targeted Aspinall and ‘UK fans.’ He also didn’t think there needed to be an interim title created.
“UFC is a brilliant company, did what they had to do to save the event. But I do agree with you, it definitely confused a bunch of UK fans, got them entitled thinking their boy really is the champion. It reminds me of when DC was the “champion” during my absence,” Jones replied to a comment criticizing the creation of interim champion.
UFC is a brilliant company, did what they had to do to save the event. But I do agree with you, it definitely confused a bunch of UK fans, got them entitled thinking their boy really is the champion. It reminds me of when DC was the “champion” during my absence. https://t.co/UXbx7LMboG
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 9, 2024
“I was talking about retirement after Stipe way before there was an intern champion announced. I would literally be in the same exact position if Sergei would had one (won),” Jones wrote in another post. “I love how the UK have convinced themselves I’m afraid of their intern champion, opens me up to a whole new fan base. They all know who the actual champion is.”