Jon ‘Bones’ Jones last fought in the UFC in March 2023, and it’s been well over a year since then. Initially slated to make his return in November-December of last year, Jones had to postpone his return due to a torn pectoral injury he suffered. Now after a successful surgery and treatment, the newly turned 37-year-old is getting back into shape for his much-awaited bout against Ciryl Gane.
According to reports on the Internet, UFC’s greatest-ever Light Heavyweight has hinted at a return to the Octagon on November 9, at the promotion’s return to the Madison Square Garden. But at the same time, the man is getting older by the day. With his recent surgery and a current body weight of 260 pounds, it will be an uphill task for Jon Jones to get back to fighting fitness in time for the showdown.
Taking to his Instagram on the eve of his Birthday, Jones posted a video of him doing pullups and wrote: “Tomorrow, I’ll be 37 years old!! I’m 260 pounds 16 weeks away from fighting the most decorated heavyweight in UFC history. I feel like I’m in a great spot right before training camp ramps up. My form is far from perfect in these videos, but I’m happy with it considering the surgeries I recently had. 16 more weeks to become the beast, that’s exactly what I will do. #Champion2024.”
The Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic fight is still, as Jones said, 16 weeks away. It has been labelled as the “Most decorated heavyweight in UFC history” by Jones himself. But this matchup will be more of a legacy fight than a fight for the title. In any case, Jon Jones needs to be in the best shape he can be when he decides to fight Miocic to defend his Heavyweight title.
Interim Title on the line next weekend
With Jon Jones being a regular absentee on the UFC circuit for the past year, the Heavyweight division is being carried by Tom Aspinall. Who some would say is wrongfully being heralded as the Interim champion. But rather deserves to be known as the undisputed Champion. Many people have been against Jon Jones for taking the title with him on his long hiatus and Dana White’s unwritten favouritism for ‘Bones’ makes matters worse for Aspinall.
But the 31-year-old hasn’t let the circumstances affect him as he has made it a mission to clear up the division before getting his hands on his idol Jon Jones. And in his path lies Curtis Blaydes. Tom Aspinall will take on Curtis Blaydes for the Interim Heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 304 on July 28 at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
