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When Is Jon Jones Returning to the UFC Octagon and Who Will Be His Next Opponent?
Jon Jones is one of the greatest fighters to ever be a part of MMA. The UFC legend has an incredible record of (26-1) and is a former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight champion. The fighter last competed in the UFC back in February 2020 and he faced and defeated Dominick Reyes at the event.
With his victory against Reyes, ‘Bones’ set the record for most wins (14) in UFC title fight history. After a pay disparity with Dana White, Jones vacated the UFC title last May. On August 15, 2020, Jones had announced that he is vacating the Light Heavyweight championship. However, Jones was all set to return to action and was willing to move to the Heavyweight division.
INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 29: Jon Jones celebrates his KO victory over Alexander Gustafsson of Sweden in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC 232 event inside The Forum on December 29, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Jones was all set to face Francis Ngannou in his debut heavyweight clash. However, as Jones and the UFC could not agree regarding the money involved, that fight never happened. Since then there has been much speculation and uncertainty about Jones’ future.
Jon Jones will return to the UFC in 2022
After much speculation, Jones finally took to Twitter to announce that he will return to the Octagon in 2022. When asked whether he will stay out for another full year. Jones replied, “Yes, I got a feeling you guys will still be around. The sport should be bigger than ever by then. Always looking on the bright side. “
Yes, I got a feeling you guys will still be around. The sport should be bigger than ever by then.. Always looking on the bright side https://t.co/YwB9nGudMb
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 25, 2021
The main reason for Jones staying away from the UFC for so long is his desire to get a bigger paycheck from the company. While this seemed unlikely some time ago, as Richard Schaefer now represents Jones, this might just happen.
Watch This Story: Five Times Jon Jones Broke Rules Inside the UFC Octagon
Schaefer has a good relationship with Dana White, therefore Jones returning to the UFC in 2022, seems very likely.
Who will be Jon Jones’s opponent when he returns to the UFC?
As Jones is set to return to action and compete in the heavyweight division, this 2-year layoff might just be great for him. There are some skilled fighters in the Heavyweight division, and ‘Bones’ can use this time to prepare for them.
Jones is one of the popular UFC stars, so whenever he returns he will face some of the biggest names in the UFC heavyweight division. The most plausible scenario is that Jones challenges for the title as soon as he returns. While who the champion will be at that point, one cannot know.
However, to face against fighters like Francis Ngannou, Stipe Miocic, and Derrick Lewis, Jones will have to be in a top form whenever he returns.
Who do you want to see Jon Jones face when he returns? Let us know in the comments.
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