UFC president Dana White has revealed Jon Jones is “prepared to return again” to the promotion subsequent yr.
The previous light-heavyweight king hasn’t set foot contained in the Octagon since his unanimous decision victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February.
UFC chief Dana White has revealed Jon Jones is able to return to the Octagon subsequent yrCredit score: GETTY
Jon Jones hasn’t fought since defending the light-heavyweight title towards Dominick Reyes in FebruaryCredit score: GETTY
Jones’ absence from the cage was partially right down to a dispute with the UFC brass over his long-awaited transfer as much as heavyweight.
The long run Corridor-of-Famer – who vacated the 205lb crown in June – wished to be adequately compensated for the transfer up in weight.
White, nevertheless, refused to budge and subsequently claimed the 33-year-old wanted to be paid ‘Deontay Wilder money.’
The pair not too long ago hashed out their points in a productive cellphone name, which has left White assured of ‘Bones’ returning to the cage subsequent yr.
He informed BT Sport: “Jon Jones and I had the very best dialog we’ve ever had a couple of week in the past, and he’s prepared.
“He’s prepared to return again. His head’s in the appropriate place, and he and I are in a very good place.”
The UFC are hoping to place collectively a grudge match between Jones and reigning middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, offered the latter wins his proposed light-heavyweight title battle with Jan Blachowicz.
White is keen to make the battle and admits it is the one contest he is determined to return to fruition subsequent yr.
He stated: “That’s the battle I’d like to see. Any individual requested me yesterday ‘in case you may make one battle in 2021, what would it not be?’ That’s the battle. That’s my choose.”
Jones is presently present process a rigorous weightlifting programme to pack on muscle forward of his eagerly-anticipated transfer to heavyweight.
The JacksonWink MMA star is working with a power and conditioning workforce six occasions every week and has already placed on 20lbs.
The prospect of blending it with the UFC’s huge boys has lit a fireplace beneath Jones, who not too long ago informed ESPN: “The sunshine heavyweight division was enjoyable, however I simply wasn’t fearful of these guys anymore.
“Like, none of them. And I believe it confirmed in a few of my performances.
“Clearly, I nonetheless educated laborious. However there was no urgency in a few of my final fights.
“With these subsequent guys, I’m going to be going up towards, I respect these guys.
“These guys are intimidating – they’re intimidating as sh*t. It simply will get me up in a complete completely different approach.”
