The last time we saw UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones inside the Octagon, he made quick work of Chael Sonnen, earning a first-round TKO victory at UFC 159. Through the course of the four-and-a-half-minute bout, Sonnen landed a mere six significant strikes, seemingly setting Jones up for a quick turnaround.
The MMA gods, being a vindictive bunch, had other plans for the light heavyweight kingpin.
When the celebrating champion took a brief glance down to the mat, he saw something no one should ever have to see. The bone of Jones’ left big toe was jutting through the skin, and his toe was bent at an unnatural angle.
When the damage was assessed, it was not as severe as it first appeared. For starters, the toe was not broken, just badly dislocated.
Jones has been on the mend, but little has been discussed about when he will be back in the Octagon.
UFC president Dana White talked about the promotion’s hobbled champion on Thursday, telling the media, “We talked yesterday. He’s feeling great, his toe is healing good, but the problem is the ligament. That ligament popped and anywhere you tear a ligament blood flow helps the thing heal and you don’t get a lot of blood flow in the toe.”
As for when Jones will be back in the cage, White was unsure: “The thing could be six weeks, it could be six months. It’s a pain in the ass.”
More info will be known early next week on Jones. The champion is currently in Russia, but when he returns, which White said would be on Monday, he will get another MRI on the toe.
Once the results of that MRI are known, speculation will begin as to who Jones will face in his next title defense along with when and where that fight will take place.
**all quotes obtained first-hand by BR MMA.
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