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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, fresh off his split decision win over Thiago Santos earlier this month in Las Vegas, was expected to make his Octagon return at the promotion’s year-end pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza in December.
Or not.
Jones is now setting his sights on UFC 244, scheduled for Sat., Nov. 2, 2019 inside Madison Square Garden in New York, though “Bones” was playing coy when asked about a potential opponent, which could come at either light heavyweight or heavyweight.
“Madison Square Garden in November? Means I would have to jump right back into camp, I think I’m up for it,” Jones wrote on Twitter. “Pretty sure actually. I’m sure one of the boys are out there lurking.”
Jones (25-1, 1 NC) would probably have an easier time finding an opponent at heavyweight, since the list of 205-pound contenders leaves a lot to be desired. No. 4-ranked Dominick Reyes is expected to fight Chris Weidman in October, and I can’t imagine the promotion would be interested in booking Jan Blachowicz or Corey Anderson.
Then again, “Bones” has been known to play fantasy matchmaker even when he’s already booked. And we don’t yet know what will happen with longtime rival Daniel Cormier until after his UFC 241 main event against Stipe Miocic next month in Anaheim.
Stay tuned.