Could Jon Jones return to the Octagon in 2018?
According to his manager, Malki Kawa, the chances of the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion fighting again inside the Octagon in 2018 are looking very good. In fact, the confident agent says there is a 95-percent chance “Bones” fights this year.
That is, of course, if United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) does the right thing and takes everything it has gathered so far and realizes that it all points to Jones telling the truth of never intentionally taking any banned substance.
Malki broke it all down during a recent interview on the Luke Thomas Show.
“By the end of this month I think we get some clarity on the issues. We have a hearing with the California State Athletic Commission and we’re hoping to get the investigation with USADA wrapped up by then, as well,” revealed Kawa.
“Hopefully it all works out that way. I got to assume that by the end of March, for a fact, we will get this resolved and get an idea of what it’s looking like. I’d like to say about a 95-percent chance (he fights in 2018).”
USADA busted Jones pissing hot following his championship win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, which ultimately lead to another suspension and “DC” getting crowned light heavyweight champion again.
“If USADA is a respectable organization, which I think that they are, and they take all the information they compiled, all the interviews that they’ve done and all the things they’ve seen, they know for a fact that Jon Jones was not cheating and he was not intentionally taking any kind of substance. I think they know that and everybody can come to that conclusion based on the circumstances of his situation. That’s the most I am going to say at this point because it is obviously on-going.”
Furthermore, Kawa pointed to Jones’ willingness to take a polygraph test on his own — which he passed — as further prove that “Bones” is an innocent man who is trying his hardest to prove his case.
Nevertheless, it will be an interesting few weeks waiting to see if, in fact, everything comes out roses for Team Jones. If it does, his presence will without a doubt shake up the 205-pound weight class once again, and talks of a trilogy fight against Daniel Cormier will surely ramp up.
After “DC” takes care of this business, of course.