‘I have a date’ – Jon Jones teases long-awaited UFC return

Jon Jones is set to return to the UFC Octagon very soon.

The UFC heavyweight champion has been out of action since winning the coveted belt in March 2023 against Ciryl Gane.

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He was expected to defend his belt against former long-reigning champion Stipe Miocic last November.

However, their title clash was cancelled after Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle in training.

UFC president Dana White shared footage of ‘Bones’ wrestling with a sparring partner before clutching his chest in serious discomfort.

At the time, White said: “Jon Jones was training last night, got injured, he was wrestling and he tore the tendon that connects your pec to the bone, off the bone.

“Eight months, going to need surgery. He’s out.”

Now, six months later, Jones claims his next fight is nearly a done deal.

“I have a date,” Jones wrote on X. “I’ll let boss man Dana [White] announce that.”

Asked by another fan whether he can reveal the date, Jones replied: “Nope [can’t announce anything yet], as right now it’s just a verbal agreement.”

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No opponent was mentioned but the expectation is that it will be the Miocic fight.

After Miocic, the next two bouts that seem to be the most likely are a unification showdown with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and a super fight with former middleweight and current light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Jones took to X last week to ask fans which fight they would rather see and got an emphatic response.

Out of the over 8,000 supporters who commented on the post an overwhelming majority called for the Aspinall fight.

One fan wrote: “Tom or vacate the belt.”

Another commented: “Tom. Silly question. Tom merks Alex.”

A third added: “Tom, Alex you are just going to take down immediately.”

Jones did, however, make it clear that he is far keener on the Pereira fight in several follow-up tweets.

“That fight after Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make,” he wrote on X. “This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world.

“The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.”

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