If it’s up to Jon Jones, the
former light heavyweight champ will make his highly-anticipated
Octagon return before the end of the year.
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Jones revealed Tuesday via Twitter that he is training to face
Stipe
Miocic at UFC 282 on Dec. 10. “Bones” also indicated that any
potential holdup isn’t coming from his side.
“I’m preparing to fight Stipe December 10 in Las Vegas,” Jones
wrote. “Not really sure what’s going on between Stipe and the UFC
but I’m ready to compete! I’m going to control what I can and stay
in shape.”
I’m preparing to fight Stipe December 10 in
Las Vegas. Not really sure what’s going on between Stipe and the
UFC but I’m ready to compete! I’m going to control what I can and
stay in shape. https://t.co/3Ouu9Xk8Ns— BONY (@JonnyBones)
October 25, 2022
Jones hasn’t fought since defending his 205-pound belt with a
five-round verdict over Dominick
Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020. The now 35-year-old engaged
in a very public dispute with the promotion over money for a
potential heavyweight return during his absence, but it appears
those issues have been resolved. Jones is regarded by many as the
greatest light heavyweight of all-time and the only blemishes on
his resume in 28 career appearances are a disqualification loss to
Matt
Hamill and a no contest against Daniel
Cormier due to a failed drug test.
Mioicic, meanwhile, last appeared at UFC 260 in March 2021, when he
relinquished the heavyweight strap to Francis
Ngannou in a second-round knockout loss. His three consecutive
defenses of the crown are still a record for the heavyweight
division. The 40-year-old firefighter has been relatively quiet on
social media but has recently posted a couple videos of him
training, potentially for a UFC return.
UFC 282 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and as it
currently stands, would be headlined by a light heavyweight title
rematch between Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira.