Jon Jones announces return date: when will the UFC legend fight again?
‘Bones’ has been inactive since he got injured, but he’s looking forward to returning to the cage to take on Stipe Miocic.
It’s been more than a year since Jon Jones’ last fight. The American has been inactive after becoming the UFC heavyweight champion by defeating Cyril Gane in the first round in an outstanding performance at UFC 285 in March 2023.
The Rochester native took less than a round to submit Gane in one of the greatest comebacks in the company’s history, as it was Jones’ first fight after three years outside the cage.
While things looked promising for Bones, everything changed shortly after. The 36-year-old undefeated fighter, widely regarded as the best mixed martial artist of all time, was expected to take on one of the best heavyweights in UFC history, Stipe Miocic, in a battle of legends. However, a pectoral injury during a sparring session prevented him from facing Miocic, as he required surgery. The clash, scheduled at Madison Square Garden in New York for November 2023, had to be postponed.
UFC star Jon Jones reveals return date
The injury was a big setback for Jones, who had already been waiting for a long time to make his transition to heavyweight. But after undergoing surgery, and several months later, the situation looks way better for the former light heavyweight champion.
Jones took to social media to announce his return date and ironically it will be exactly a year after his expected fight with Miocic.
“November 9th, Madison Square Garden, I know it seems like a dream but it’s really happening”, Bones said, replying to a fan.
The UFC hasn’t yet announced a card at the iconic arena for that date. Jones didn’t name his opponent, but it’s hard to imagine any other big name that isn’t Miocic. The Ohio native has been patiently waiting for Jones to recover, and will likely share the cage with Jones in November.
Regarding Jon’s plans after his November showdown, the undefeated mixed martial artist doesn’t know if he will keep fighting or retire.
“Honestly, it’s hard to say right now, I’m going to base a lot of that on my next performance. The options are looking crazy right now”, he told a fan on X who asked him about his future.
In case of emerging victorious in November, there are quite a few names Jones could face. The current interim champion Tom Aspinall is the name that stands out, although the Englishman will have to deal with Curtis Blaydes first at UFC 304, which will be held in Manchester, England, on June 27.