Jones’ return? White says there’ll be a LHW title bout in 2020

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Dana White says there will be another light heavyweight title fight before the end of the year.

Jon Jones has defended his light heavyweight title just once this year, but UFC president Dana White has assured us that there will be another light heavyweight title fight by the end of 2020.

White says he is waiting to hear back from Jones regarding his next title defense, per a recent interview with Brett Okamoto.

“Dana White just told me there WILL be another light heavyweight title fight before the end of 2020. He said he’s actually waiting to hear back from Jon Jones today, regarding what will happen with the division,” Okamoto tweeted on Thursday.

Based on the wording, it looks like White is optimistic Jones returns, but is planning on moving forward regardless.

Jones hasn’t fought since his unanimous decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, with the reigning light heavyweight champion taking an extended hiatus from MMA following his public fallout with the UFC earlier this year. ‘Bones’ was planning to move up to heavyweight to take on Francis Ngannou, but the 33-year-old wasn’t happy with the UFC’s initial offer and threatened to leave the promotion unless they paid him his worth.

“I don’t want to fight soon,” Jones said. “I have no interest in fighting in the UFC until I get paid what I believe I’m worth.”

If Jones does return, White says the pound-for-pound No. 1 will have to defend his light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes again.

“Dana White tells @TheSchmo312 if Jon Jones stays at Light Heavyweight, he’s got to fight Dominick Reyes again,” Helen Yee tweeted yesterday.

Although Jones walked away with the unanimous decision, many pundits scored the bout in favour of Reyes.

Regardless, Jones is still the undisputed light heavyweight champion and #1 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.