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Jon Jones has two dates in mind for his UFC return
Jon Jones is getting closer to a UFC return and now has two dates in mind for his comeback fight.
Jon Jones last fought in the UFC back in Feb. of 2020. In that fight, he successfully defended his light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes. Following the win, Jones decided to make a move to heavyweight and in turn relinquish the 205-pound belt. He specified that he would need time to bilk up to be able to compete at heavyweight, and now over a year later, he is targeting two possible dates for his return.
“I’m looking to fight somewhere in April, possibly Madison Square Garden, or total opposite date, possibly July at International Fight Week,” Jones told KRQE News (via MMANew.com). So those are the two dates that I’m eying. I think it’ll depend on who wins in January between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, and we’ll just take it from there.”
Jones has had some trouble while he has been away from the UFC. He had a spat with the UFC brass about contract negotiations. He originally wanted a fight with heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou but the two parties couldn’t come to a conclusion. Then Jones was arrested in Las Vegas following his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame. This episode led to him being asked to leave his longtime gym.
He is now training at a new gym with former UFC champion Henry Cejudo and looks to be on par to make his weight goals. As for the opponent that Jones has in mind, that could very well be Ngannou still. Ngannou will be facing off against interim champ Ciryl Gane in the main event of the upcoming UFC 270. The winner could find themselves face to face with Jon Jones the next time out in the Octagon. Another interested party is former champion Stipe Miocic who has been calling for Jones as well.
