UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones says that he will most likely return to the cage next year.
Jones defended his world title against Stipe Miocic at the recent UFC 309 event inside Madison Square Garden, finishing the former champ via third-round TKO to further enhance his legacy as being among the finest in mixed martial arts history.
However, much of the lead-in to the New York City fight card was centred around the candidacy of the interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who has vocally campaigned for a fight with Jones since winning a version of the heavyweight crown a year ago — but whom Jones has repeatedly distanced himself from, much to the ire of Aspinall and, judging by statements made on the matter by Dana White, the UFC brass also.
And speaking during a recent interview, Jones said that talks are underway about his next fight — but he stopped short of dropping any hints as to the possible identity of his upcoming foe.
“So right now, the UFC and I, we’re in negotiations, we’re in talks to see what happens next. I’m back in the gym. I’m training. I feel really great. The team’s support, they’re right behind me, and we’ll just be ready for whatever opportunity comes out way,” Jones said, as noted by MMA News.
“There is [a figure in mind], but I’m not going to discuss that publicly. I will be competing in 2025, more than likely.”
Jones statement follows swiftly from similar comments made by Aspinall last week in which he also outlined that the UFC has been in contact regarding his next fight.
“Yeah, we’re in negotiations right now. That’s the honest answer. So, we don’t know when the fight is going to be. But I’ll be ready to go whenever,” the Briton said.
I’m back in the gym now. I’m back in the gym training, as always. I’ll be ready to fight when they let me know. Until then, I’ll be improving, I’ll be getting better. So, no great rush on that. Obviously, I want to fight as soon as possible. But, right now, we’re just waiting on a date. That’s it.”
It remains to be seen if a deal can be struck to get the two finest heavyweights on the UFC roster into the same cage — but it appears to be becoming increasingly obvious that the Jones-Aspinall bout ranks up there with any fight the organisation can book in 2025.
