Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Jon Jones has some bulk to put on his frame before he’s ready to wade into the deep end of the MMA heavyweight pool.
When exactly Jon Jones will be fighting again still isn’t clear. The former UFC light heavyweight champion recently relinquished his claim to the throne at 205 lbs, vacating his title in preparation for a long-teased move to the heavyweight division. Once there, it’s assumed that Jones will be the immediate top contender for the crown at 265 lbs. Something current champ Stipe Miocic seems like he may already be hedging on.
“Francis isn’t exciting for me,” Miocic responded when asked recently who the harder fight between Jones and Ngannou would be.
Whether or not that actually means Jones could be next in line for the title remains to be seen. Miocic added that he’d “love” to try his hands at boxing, and the UFC has already essentially promised Ngannou a shot at revenge for his 2018 title fight loss to Ohio’s own. But for his part, at least, Jones appears to be putting in the work to get ready for his heavyweight debut.
Most importantly, hitting the squat rack to start adding some of that heavyweight muscle he’ll need to compete with the big boys.
Slowly but surely pic.twitter.com/Y8LHaFbRFd
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 29, 2020
With Jones now firmly out of the light heavyweight title picture, recent opponent Dominick Reyes will take on Jan Blachowicz for his vacated belt. Reyes vs. Blachowicz is set for the co-main event of UFC 253 on September 26th. That card is expected to be headlined by a middleweight title fight between champion Israel Adesanya and contender Paulo Costa.