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Report: Jon Jones aiming to get on UFC 282 card but time is running out
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has yet to make his heavyweight division debut and it reportedly could happen on the last PPV event of the year, but time is running out. According to Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting, Jones is pushing to get on the UFC 282 in December, but the clock is ticking for a deal to be made to get the former champion on the card.
In his report, Helwani states that the UFC and the team of Jon Jones have been in touch with each other in an effort to finalize a fight between Jones and former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. If the fight was to be made and added to UFC 282, it would serve as the main event while the light heavyweight title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira would serve as the co-main event, a rematch from their instant classic at UFC 275 earlier this year.
Initially, the UFC wanted Jones to make his heavyweight debut against reigning champion Francis Ngannou, but Ngannou is still currently recovering from knee surgery and will be out of action until early 2023. As the plans shifted to a potential fight with Jones and Miocic, it was reported that a deal for a fight between the two is not close to being finalized at this time.
UFC has been in dialogue with Jon Jones’ team about fighting in the main event on Dec. 10, sources say. I’m told Jones wants in.
Initial hope was Ngannou x Jones but given Ngannou’s knee recovery + contract status = a long shot. Option 2 is Miocic. But that’s not close to done.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 14, 2022
If a fight between Jon Jones and Miocic can not be finalized, Helwani reported that the light heavyweight title fight would serve as the UFC 282 main event and the heavyweight debut of Jones would be on hold until 2023. Their secondary plan would be to make the title fight between Ngannou and Jones in March, but only if the reigning champion re-signs with the company.
If they can get Jones x Miocic done, that’ll be the UFC 282 main. If not, the main will be Prochazka x Teixeira 2.
And if they can’t get Jones x Miocic done for 12/10, they’ll set their sights on doing Ngannou x Jones in March, if Ngannou re-signs. Developing.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 14, 2022
The last time Jon Jones competed was back in February of 2020 when he defeated Dominick Reyes to retain his light heavyweight title which he vacated following the victory and announced his intention to move up to heavyweight.
