Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White has officially offered Jon Jones his comeback fight. Per Brett Okamoto, White has offered “Bones” a championship rematch against Light Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at the upcoming UFC 214 pay-per-view (PPV) event on July 29, 2017, in Anaheim, California.
“Cormier is available to fight on July 8, but that time frame doesn’t work for Jon Jones. Cormier already told me he’s willing to fight either Jones or Manuwa,” White told ESPN. “If Jon Jones is ready to fight [by UFC 214] on July 29, we’ll see the Jones versus Cormier rematch, finally.”
Of course, Jones and Cormier were set to run it back at UFC 200 last July before “Bones” failed a pre-fight drug test. As a result, Jones was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for a period of one year, a penalty that is set to come to an end in a couple of months.
Cormier, meanwhile, last defended his 205 pound title against Anthony Johnson at UFC 210, submitting “Rumble” via rear-naked choke, once again.
Jimi Manuwa was lobbying for his own title fight against Cormier, as a two hard-hitting combatants went at it on social media recently, with Daniel going as far as accepting his challenge. But at the end of the day, the money fight is one against Jones as the two have a heated rivalry dating back for as long as one can remember.
If for whatever reason Jones isn’t ready to go by the date presented, then Jimi could get his much-sought after fight against “DC.”
“Jimi wants Cormier,” White said. “They got into it at UFC 210 [earlier this month] and Jimi told me he’s never been talked to like that before. We’ll see how this plays out,” concluded White. Should should Jones accept the offer, it remains to be seen if Dana stays true to his word and makes this much anticipated title fight rematch a co-main event.
Last last time I checked, Conor McGregor is nowhere near a UFC return.