There was a time in the not-too-distant past when current light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz wanted to “fist” former 205-pound titleholder Jon Jones, simply because “Bones” and his many accomplishments cast a long shadow over the rest of the division.
That time has officially passed.
Probably because Jones — who vacated the title back in Aug. 2020 — has spent too much time out of the spotlight. Since he’s been gone, Blachowicz knocked out top contender Dominick Reyes before turning away middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
“I think Jon Jones, this conversation is over,” Blachowicz told MMA Fighting. “It’s not making sense to talk about him anymore. I don’t know. Maybe he don’t fight anymore, anywhere at heavyweight or light heavyweight, A half year ago, it would be a different way — ‘I have to beat him, I’ll find him somewhere and beat him,’ but right now I don’t care about him. If he comes back, okay. If not, who cares?”
Blachowicz (28-8) will make his next 205-pound title defense against light heavyweight elder statesman Glover Teixeira in the UFC 267 five-round main event, scheduled for Sat., Oct. 30, 2021 inside Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.
The event is expected to air free on ABC.
As for Jones (26-1, 1 NC), who turned 34 back in July, he’s been sitting on the sidelines while his fancy new advisor tries to finagle a heavyweight super fight — for the right price. As of this writing, “Bones” and the check writers still appear to be miles apart.