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There will be no tune-up heavyweight fight for Jon Jones.
It almost feels inevitable, at this point, that Jon Jones will move up in weight to challenge either Stipe Miocic or Francis Ngannou for the UFC heavyweight title.
The pound-for-pound No. 1 recently vacated his light heavyweight title and subsequently teased of a move up to heavyweight, claiming that he’ll soon become a two-division champion.
If — or more likely when — ‘Bones’ moves up in weight, UFC president Dana White claims the former two-time light heavyweight champ will be granted an immediate title shot.
“Of course,” White told reporters after Tuesday Night Contender Series (h/t Jed Meshew of MMA Fighting). “I mean realistically, Jon Jones is undefeated. He’s never been beat. Mazzagatti’s been out of the game for years. I don’t mean to keep beating this guy up, but you know. Jon Jones is undefeated.”
For the time being, however, White says Jones is content to sit on the sidelines until the ‘right fight’ presents itself.
“Last time we talked to Jon Jones, Jon Jones said he was going to take some time and do his things he’s into right now and take some time, and when there’s a right fight, he’ll give us a call,” White said.
Jones will likely fight the winner of the proposed heavyweight title bout between Miocic and Ngannou, which is expected to take place later this year.