Jon Jones is looking at time on the sidelines.
The last time we all saw Jon Jones inside the UFC Octagon was at UFC 247 last February. Since then, he’s been bulking up for an anticipated heavyweight run while butting heads with the UFC brass to get the right deal in place.
On Saturday’s UFC 262 post-fight presser, company president Dana White claims that Jones’ next move will be all up to him as negotiations have stalled.
That’s up to Jon Jones, whether he wants to fight or not. There are fights available, they’re here. I’m gonna keep making fights every weekend, doing fights. If Jon Jones wants to fights he can. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t have to.
Nobody’s gonna force Jon Jones to fight.
He’s had a great run, he’s got an incredible legacy. I personally see him as the GOAT. Right now, you’ve got guys nipping at his heels like Usman and some other guys out there. It’s up to him.
He can fight this summer, or he can never fight again. That’s up to him.
From his end, it looks like Jones won’t be fighting any time soon. For now, the 33-year-old former champion says will enjoy his downtime.
I’m really not sure when I’ll be fighting next, but some downtime after a decade of wins is a nice little change up right now. https://t.co/fi8XSLLidD
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 17, 2021
But when he does return, Jones is expecting to be part of something “huge.”
Impossible, my name will ring bells in the combat sports world until the day I die and after. My first fight back is going to be huge no matter when it is https://t.co/KOgeurI7VC
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 17, 2021
Honestly I’m a blessed individual. My whole story is in Gods hands, I believe there’s huge things in my future. Things don’t always happen when we want them to https://t.co/v4nVE5dhFA
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 17, 2021
Jones seems to be fully content with where is at the moment.
Sometimes I feel like my life is one big bonus, never imagine I would be in this position in life. I’m grateful even when things don’t go my way
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 17, 2021
White already confirmed that Derrick Lewis will be Francis Ngannou’s first title challenger. According to the UFC President, whoever wins the said rematch will defend the belt against former champion Stipe Miocic.