Jon Jones has challenged Stipe Miocic to sign a contract that would confirm a long-rumored matchup between the two of them.
Jones was reportedly eyeing a return to UFC 282 but was noticeably absent when the promotion finally unveiled its line-up for the December 10 card. However, the former longtime UFC light heavyweight champ is still holding out hope that he’ll be able to return before the year ends.
With UFC 282 looming, Jones is putting pressure on Miocic to sign on the dotted line. ‘Bones’ took to Twitter to write:
“I’m bringing all the heat [Stipe Miocic], I got that fire you could never put out. Sign the contract #Ufc282”
Check out Jon Jones’ tweet below:
Despite signs pointing to Jones missing his window to make a comeback this year, the former UFC pound-for-pound king insisted that he’s been continually training for a fight, specifically against Miocic.
However, he made it clear that the ball is on Miocic’s court and that he’s unsure of his potential opponent’s status.
“I’m preparing to fight Stipe December 10 in Las Vegas,” Jones previously tweeted. “Not really sure what’s going on between Stipe and the UFC but I’m ready to compete! I’m going to control what I can and stay in shape.”
See the tweet below:
With Stipe Miocic’s doubtful status, Jon Jones might return until 2023
Unfortunately, for Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic has remained silent with just a couple of months remaining before UFC 282.
Unless something drastic happens in the next several weeks, Jon Jones may have to wait a little longer for his UFC heavyweight debut. But there’s a silverlining for Jones and his fans.
Should Jones hold off on his return, it’s highly likely that he’ll face undisputed heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou sometime in 2023. Ngannou’s coach Eric Nicksick confirmed that his student is on board with a showdown in May.
Appearing in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio, the Xtreme Couture head coach said:
“A UFC exec called and basically said, ‘Hey, what is your ideal timeline, and what is your ideal match up?’ Does it matter what my opinion is? No, but it is nice that they called and asked. I said ideally I would want March, and ideally I would want Jon Jones.”
Watch the interview below:
Right now, though, Ngannou is recovering from an injury he suffered in the lead-up to UFC 270 earlier this year. ‘The Predator’ is also tangled up in a contract dispute with the UFC.