Jon Jones’ aspirations of competing in the heavyweight division are not likely to occur in the immediate future.
The 205-pound champion has recently expressed an interest in moving up a weight class following his next few title defenses, but UFC President Dana White shot down the notion of a potential move during UFC 143 press conference.
“It’s going to happen eventually, but I don’t think it’ll be happening this year,” White told MMAJunkie.com.
Jones’ unprecedented run throughout the light heavyweight division has seen him defeat the likes of Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida in the span of one year.
Jones’ next title defense will come against Rashad Evans, when the former teammates headline UFC 145 in April.
Having already dispatched three former champions so far, the possibility of seeing the 24-year-old transition to the heavyweight division is highly likely, as “Bones” has yet to enter his prime years as a fighter and continues to fill out his frame.
Until then, White said Jones still have plenty of challengers aiming for a title shot before he cleans out the light heavyweight division.
“There are still guys there to fight him,” he said. “He’s still young … so I’m not interested in him fighting at heavyweight this year.”
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