Hey look who it is!!!@JonnyBones
#CES68 pic.twitter.com/Bs0HETER3u— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass)
May 7, 2022
Jon
Jones has offered a little more insight into what might be
delaying his rumored matchup against former UFC heavyweight
champion Stipe
Miocic.
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Jones appeared on the UFC Fight Pass broadcast for CES MMA 68 in
Fargo, N.D., and discussed a potential date and location for his
heavyweight debut. The ex-light heavyweight king was at the event
to accompany training partner Maurice
Greene.
“I heard originally it’d be July,” Jones said. “I think when Stipe
got that date, I’ve heard he’s been doing a lot of weight-lifting
and not a lot of MMA training. He wanted to put his best foot
forward. I respect that. He’s a great champion. He deserves that. I
think he asked for Sept. 24. I’m hoping that’s going to be in Las
Vegas.
’ve been training about three times a day for about two years. I’m
this close, why not wait a little bit longer? I’m excited for
September.
Jones representative Richard Schaefer
recently stated that September is the longest Jones would
fight, and the opponent wouldn’t matter as long as an interim
heavyweight title was at stake. The UFC has not publicly announced
Sept. 24 as a date for an event.
“Bones” has not competed since a five-round verdict over Dominick
Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020 in what was his last light
heavyweight title defense. After being arrested for an alleged
domestic violence last year — the charge was ultimately
dismissed — Jones parted ways with his gym Jackson-Wink MMA. He
remains based in Albuquerque, N.M.,, however.
“I decided to do my own thing and separate from Jackson Wink,”
Jones said. “I started training at the original Jackson’s building.
I’m just accumulating heavyweights from really all over the
country. I had Yorgan De
Castro come out. I had Mike
Rodriguez come out, who’s going to be fighting on you guys’
next card. We’ve got Maurice
Greene, who’s on you guys’ card. Just a lot of
heavyweights.
“Everyone is welcome to come down to Albuquerque and get some good
work in. It’s just been great. It’s been great giving back to the
sport, sharing my knowledge. It’s been great kind of coaching more.
I love it. I’m very happy giving back. It just feels right and I
freaking love it.”