Jon Jones’ return fight has yet to be confirmed, but he’ll be eligible to fight again July after his one year USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) suspension is up. There have even been rumors that Jones could return at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017 for a rematch with bitter rival and current 205-pound champion
Jon Jones’ return fight has yet to be confirmed, but he’ll be eligible to fight again July after his one year USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) suspension is up. There have even been rumors that Jones could return at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017 for a rematch with bitter rival and current 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier.
Either way, UFC President Dana White has remained adamant that Jones will not headline another card, which “Bones’” manager, Malki Kawa, thinks is ridiculous:
“It’s the funniest thing ever. Listen, to be honest with you, it’s funny and my personal opinion, I think it’s ridiculous because at the end of the day, I mean, yes he missed out on UFC 200, and I think the whole situation behind it was stupid and ridiculous,” Kawa said on a recent edition of The MMA Hour.
Jones was schedule to rematch Cormier at UFC 200 last July, but he was forced to withdraw from the highly anticipated fight just days prior after being notified by USADA of a potential anti-doping violation. Kawa, however, says that Jones had no intent for that situation to take place:
“Listen, I always look at everything people do with intent, so if somebody intends to do something, to harm someone, then that makes that person messed up. Jon didn’t intend to cancel UFC 200. Listen, we are all sitting here everyday training, cutting weight,” he added. “We find out Wednesday or Thursday before the fight and no one wanted that to happen.”
Jones has indeed gave the UFC some headaches in the past and Kawa says that he understands why White can’t trust “Bones”, but he was also sure to point out that Cormier has had some setbacks of his own:
“Remember, Cormier got hurt one time. Jon got hurt once, he had a situation with his knee and it got postponed, it happened. Then he fought, It was time for the rematch and then Cormier got hurt and it got postponed. Then after that, Jon had the whole UFC 200 thing,” explained Kawa.
“So, at the end of the day, when he (Dana White) says ‘I can’t trust him,’ look, I understand what you’re saying from your end because you’re upset, pissed off and I get it, but it is what it is. But from our end, if you think you’re going to sell better by saying Jon Jones is a co-main event or it protects you better, then you got to do what you got to do. It doesn’t affect us one way or another financially, he is still going to get pay-per-view points, his money and none of that matters.”
Do you expect Jones to return in peak form against Cormier?
After scoring an impressive stoppage victory over Corey Anderson last month in London, No. 3-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Jimi Manuwa has been campaigning for a shot at 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier. Cormier, who recently defended his title against Anthony Johnson at UFC 210, is expected to rematch former champion Jon Jones, who will be
After scoring an impressive stoppage victory over Corey Anderson last month in London, No. 3-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Jimi Manuwa has been campaigning for a shot at 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier.
Cormier, who recently defended his title against Anthony Johnson at UFC 210, is expected to rematch former champion Jon Jones, who will be eligible to return from suspension this July. With that being said, Cormier has also expressed interest in a bout with Manuwa, as the pair went back-and-forth on Twitter earlier today (April 17, 2017):
@dc_mma Sign the deal CHAMP !!!! stop all your commentator WWE shit. U trying to catch jones rusty. I give u 2 rounds with that big head.
I’m not trying to catch anything. Let’s go! I wanna fight you! Jones needs to get his sea legs back. Where’s the contract. This light work https://t.co/GIiBKUTCmN
Actually there are many ways to beat you. I can do it however I want. U know that. I’ll fight you. I’ll give u ur moment in the sun. https://t.co/uxNU74IsiA
Prior to his win over Anderson, Manuwa had won two of his last three bouts, with his victories coming over Jan Blachowicz and Ovince Saint-Preux and his loss coming to Johnson.
Cormier, on the other hand, had scored victories over Alexander Gustafsson and Anderson Silva before defeating “Rumble”.
The UFC was sold for a record-setting $4.2 billion to WME-IMG last year, and the new owners are understandably trying relieve the debt of the massive purchase to make a profit on the blockbuster deal. However, they may have a tough time doing so in 2017 due to the fact that the promotion is currently lacking
The UFC was sold for a record-setting $4.2 billion to WME-IMG last year, and the new owners are understandably trying relieve the debt of the massive purchase to make a profit on the blockbuster deal.
However, they may have a tough time doing so in 2017 due to the fact that the promotion is currently lacking legitimate stars to headline pay-per-view (PPV) shows in the immediate months. Given the fact that PPV has and likely always will be the UFC’s main platform, WME-IMG could have a serious issue on its hands.
For instance, let’s take a look at the status of just a few of the UFC’s biggest PPV draws from the last few years: Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva.
McGregor, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, is in a league of his own in terms of PPV stars, as he’s headlined four of the top five best-selling events of all-time: UFC 194, UFC 196, UFC 202 and UFC 205, and incredibly enough all within a calendar year.
The brash and outspoken Irishman may end up spending the majority of 2017 on the sidelines, however, as he awaits the birth of his first child with longtime girlfriend Dee Devlin.
Rousey’s fighting future is even more uncertain than McGregor’s, as the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion spent most of 2016 inactive after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Holly Holm in Nov. 2015. She returned at last week’s (Dec. 30, 2016) UFC 207, an event that ranks. No. 6 all-time in terms of pay-per-view buys according to Tapology, only to get stopped in 48 seconds. Not only would it be unsurprising to see Rousey not fight in 2017, but it also wouldn’t be too surprising to see the “Rowdy” one never grace the Octagon again.
Lesnar, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is also a legitimate draw, as he’s headlined four cards that have brought in over one million buys. “The Beast” made his return this past summer in the co-main event of UFC 200, an event that brought in over one million buys as well, but he’s now suspended due to multiple failed drug tests. While his suspension will be up in July, he too may never fight again.
St-Pierre, the former welterweight champion, hasn’t competed since 2013, although he was in negotiations to return late last year. The negotiations took a turn south, however, and his return is now up in the air as well.
Silva, on the other hand, will likely fight again, although he is a mere shell of the star he once was. The former longtime middleweight champion hasn’t won a fight since 2012 and at age 41, his best days are clearly behind him. Yet while that’s certainly the general consensus among a rapidly evolving MMA fanbase where many fans may not remember “The Spider’s” dominant days, it also could be noted that he impressively rocked both the light heavyweight and middleweight champions in his only two fights of 2016 only to lose to a decision.
Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Now that I’ve rambled on about the biggest draws in the UFC, you may be asking yourself what the only major one who wasn’t named – former light heavyweight champ Jon Jones – has to do with the UFC’s current lack of stars. Well, aside from McGregor, Jones may be the only other (potential) star and pay-per-view (PPV) draw left on the UFC roster that is certain to fight again. And to be fair, Jones is certainly not the star “Notorious” is.
“Bones,” the longtime pound-for-pound king, is currently serving out a yearlong suspension due to a failed drug test surrounding his scheduled UFC 200 rematch with current champion Daniel Cormier.
Jones’ two best selling pay-per-views (PPV) are UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier, which brought in 800,000 buys, and UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans, which brought in 700,000 buys. He also headlined UFC 135 and UFC 159, two cards that sold north of 500,000 pay-per-views. While the ex-champion may not be a McGregor or Rousey type of star, his events have typically brought in solid numbers and certainly respectable numbers in today’s UFC landscape.
Because of this, I’d have to assume that the UFC is eagerly awaiting his return, which will hopefully take place in July when his suspension is up. He’ll of course have to face the increased watch of USADA and the legal authorities of Bernalillo County, Ne Mexico, where he was jailed on a probation violation for receiving some highly questionable traffic citations last year.
To count on him to return to the Octagon without issue is an order perhaps even taller than the six-foot-four Jones, who was once the fastest-rising name in MMA before transcendent stars McGregor and Rousey came along. Not only has “Bones” typically sold well, but there will be a few intriguing match-ups awaiting him in the light heavyweight division, which is another reason that his return is vital.
The 205-pound class was once the UFC’s marquee division, but it has since become scarce and stagnant. Cormier hasn’t defended the title since October 2015 and aside from him and top contenders Anthony Johnson and Alexander Gustafsson, there simply aren’t too many big names in the division. However, rematches between Jones and Cormier or Jones and Gustafsson, as well as a possible showdown between “Bones” and “Rumble” would likely draw interest.
To wrap things up, it’s clear that the UFC is in need of big names, and although Jones has had a troubled past, he represents just that: a well-known name who happens to be arguably the best fighter of all-time. With that being said, his return is needed by the UFC now more than it ever has been. Jones has the ability to add another star to the UFC’s roster and the ability to revive a weight class that appears to be on its last legs.
Also, fight fans seem to love a comeback story.
Here’s to hoping that Jones not only returns to fighting, but that he returns to consistency and to the straight and narrow not only for the UFC, but for fight fans as well. Is that impossible at this point? Time will tell, but somehow “Bones” always seems to get one more “second chance.” His new employer is probably hoping he finally capitalizes on one right when the promotion needs stars.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Bones may have scored a unanimous decision victory over Ovince St. Preux in his highly anticipated return at UFC 197 this past weekend (April 23, 2016), but he didn’t necessarily show up in the form we have grown accustom to seeing him in. Jones has been on the
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Bones may have scored a unanimous decision victory over Ovince St. Preux in his highly anticipated return at UFC 197 this past weekend (April 23, 2016), but he didn’t necessarily show up in the form we have grown accustom to seeing him in.
Jones has been on the sidelines for nearly 16 months dealing with legal issues, and perhaps he experienced a bit of ring rust as UFC president Dana White feels.
“Bones” was originally scheduled to take on current champion Daniel “DC” Cormier for the title, but the former Olympian was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury.
Cormier, who lost to Jones back at UFC 182, saw a difference in the pound-for-pound king’s performance as well, implying that he would have been very successful against the ‘new’ Jones had he been healthy enough to fight:
“He got the job done,” Cormier said on FOX Sports 1’s post-fight show. “A lot of times, most guys, they don’t have their best performance, they lose. They don’t get it done. So it shows how special Jon is. That being said, very disappointed that I didn’t get to compete tonight because I do believe that if he showed up in the form that he did tonight, or if this is the new Jon Jones, there’s no way that guy can beat me.”
Despite not being able to compete at UFC 197, Cormier is indeed looking forward to his rematch with his most bitter rival.
In fact, it may come sooner than expected as July 9’s blockbuster UFC 200 card is in need of a main event after featherweight champion Conor McGregor was scrapped from his scheduled rematch with Nate Diaz.
Jones has already said that he’d be honored to fight at UFC 200, and if Cormier is healthy, it should be a go:
“I go to the doctor on Monday,” Cormier said. “I feel much better already. I did the stem cell (treatment) and I’m able to walk good now. I feel like I can be healthy for anytime. UFC 200 needs a main event. (If) the doctor gives me the go-ahead, I’ll be ready to go. Let’s get this guy back in the octagon. Let’s go. I want nothing more than to fight this guy every day of the week.”
Given Jones’ recent performance, how do you see his rematch with “DC” playing out?
After spending nearly 16 months on the sidelines dealing with legal issues, reigning pound-for-pound king and former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones finally made his long awaited return in the main event of last night’s (April 23, 2016) UFC 197 from Las Vegas, Nevada. Although originally scheduled to meet Daniel Cormier for the
After spending nearly 16 months on the sidelines dealing with legal issues, reigning pound-for-pound king and former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones finally made his long awaited return in the main event of last night’s (April 23, 2016) UFC 197 from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Although originally scheduled to meet Daniel Cormier for the undisputed title, Jones ultimately clashed with No. 6-ranked Ovince St. Preux for the interim strap after Cormier suffered an injury.
“Bones” would go on to score a unanimous decision victory over OSP, winning every round on the judges’ score cards.
Despite Jones’ victory, UFC president Dana White feels as if it was a ‘good’ thing that the former champion didn’t meet Cormier right away in his return:
“I’m a firm believer in ring rust,” White said on the FOX Sports 1 post-fight show. “Jon Jones looked rusty tonight and it was a really good thing for him that it was OSP tonight, the sixth-ranked guy, and not Cormier, because he was able to get some rounds under his belt, get in there and feel himself out. Now he knows what he has to do when he gets back in the gym.”
Continuing on at the post-fight press conference, White admitted that while Jones may not have looked his best, he did indeed get the victory which of course is most important:
“Did Jon look like a world-beater?” White said at the post-fight press conference. “Did he look like the Jon Jones who many say is possibly the greatest ever? No, but he won tonight.”
Now the interim champion, Jones will finally get the chance to reclaim what he feels is rightfully his when he meets Cormier for the undisputed title, a bout that could headline July 9’s UFC 200.
After 15 long months of endless legal issues and the stripping of his long-held title, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones will finally return in the main event of tomorrow’s (April 23, 2016) UFC 197 from Las Vegas, Nevada. Although originally scheduled to rematch bitter rival and current title holder Daniel Cormier, Jones
After 15 long months of endless legal issues and the stripping of his long-held title, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones will finally return in the main event of tomorrow’s (April 23, 2016) UFC 197 from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Although originally scheduled to rematch bitter rival and current title holder Daniel Cormier, Jones will instead face off with No. 6-ranked Ovince St. Preux for the interim 205 pound strap.
Despite the magnitude of “Bones’” return, UFC 197 has unfortunately flew under the radar due to the chaos surrounding July 9’s blockbuster UFC 200 which took place this past week.
To summarize the situation, UFC featherweight champion was pulled from his main event bout with Nate Diaz after he allegedly refused to participate in some of the promotional requirements for the event, apparently asking the UFC to reschedule to allow him adequate time to train and bounce back from a loss.
At this moment, McGregor is still off of UFC 200, leaving the card without a main event.
Although likely not looking past St. Preux, Jones recently stated that he would ‘absolutely’ headline the July card, hopefully against Cormier.
Cormier vs. Jones II has also been linked to November 12’s UFC 205 which will serve as the first event at the famed Madison Square Garden in Jones’ home of New York.
Recently speaking on both cards, the pound-for-pound king explained why he favors fighting at UFC 200 over fighting at UFC 205:
“I think headlining UFC 200. It would be bigger,” Jones told FOX Sports on Thursday. “I mean that’s a huge card. I think the numbers are going to be tremendous.
“As far as pay-per-view, I think 200 would be the bigger opportunity. That’s why I’m trying to get on it.”
At the end of the day, however, Jones is of course open to fighting in New York on what will undoubtedly be a monumental card, and likely one that would be highly meaningful to “Bones”:
“The Garden’s good, too,” Jones said about fighting at UFC 205. “I’ll take the Garden in a heartbeat.”
What do you think the future holds for Jones after his highly anticipated return tomorrow night?
