Jon Jones is fast approaching what many believe will be the final fight of his career, but injury concerns are beginning to mount for the UFC heavyweight champion.
Now 37 years old, ‘Bones’ knows he doesn’t have long left and is searching for one final legacy fight before bowing out of the sport. The New Mexico native has one of the best resumes mixed martial arts has ever seen, and hopes to add Stipe Miocic to that before all is said and done.
Jon Jones has been working hard ahead of his headlining bout at UFC 309 as he hopes to step away from the octagon with his record almost unblemished.
As the fight draws near, fans have spotted an injury scare on the champion. Despite nursing a potential problem heading into November 16, Jones has released a statement thanking his trainers and teammates for the work they’ve put in so far.
“I feel more alive than ever right now,” Jones said in a statement on Instagram. “Even after all these years, the flood of emotions I experience after finishing another training camp, right before a fight, still amazes me.”
“More than anything, I’m grateful. Grateful to everyone who’s put their time and effort into this journey. We are better together, and I’m so blessed to have one of the strongest teams in mixed martial arts history.”
Jones capped his message off by once again thanking his teammates and fans who’ve stood by him through the highs and the lows.
“To my loyal teammates, there aren’t enough ways to express my thanks. To my fans, the ones who keep me in their thoughts and prayers, you mean everything to me.”
“I can’t wait to step out there and make you all proud once again. It’s almost time.”
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Although he is determined to make a statement at UFC 309, injury concerns have begun lingering around Jon Jones.
Giving supporters a glimpse of his progress, some eagle-eyed fans spotted Jones’ toe wrapped up in white tape in many of his social media posts.
While this may not be a concern to some, others will know of the freak injury that occurred during Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen at UFC 159 over a decade ago.
Despite comfortably winning the fight, the former light heavyweight king snapped his toe in one of the most gruesome self-caused injuries to ever occur inside the octagon.
Over ten years later the concern surrounding his toe persists. Fans are worried that one wrong step or misplaced shot could result in a similar injury and put Jones’ potential farewell fight in jeopardy.