Jon Jones has provided a huge update about his recovery. The UFC Heavyweight Champion is back in the gym for training for the first time since he was injured.
Jones became a two-division champion when he moved to heavyweight and won gold in the division by defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. His first title defense was set for UFC 295 against Stipe Miocic. However, weeks before his fight, Jones was injured and had to pull out. The former UFC light heavyweight champion suffered a torn pectoral muscle that kept him out of his highly anticipated title defense.
Here’s a video of Jon Jones tearing his pectoral muscle in training camp 😳. #UFC pic.twitter.com/afrR56h9VG
— Top Bunk Sports (@Topbunksports) October 25, 2023
Instead of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall faced Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title at UFC 295 and the Englishman took home gold. Since his interim title win, Aspinall has been calling out Jones to fight for the undisputed title.
Finally, months after his injury, Jones has given a positive update to the fans. He took to Instagram to post a picture of himself with his team in the gym. He captioned the image, “First day back in the gym since my injury, felt amazing. And so it began.”
View this post on Instagram
Bones has been adamant about the fact that he wants to fight Miocic when he comes back from injury. He was quick to reiterate it in his Instagram post.
Jon Jones refuses to fight Tom Aspinall as the Stipe Miocic fight is still on his agenda
Since Tom Aspinall began calling him out, Jones has avoided even the most initial fight talks with him. The heavyweight champion wants to fight Miocic and has claimed multiple times that Aspinall does not even deserve a shot against him.
Recently there were two more occasions where he all but confirmed his next fight will be against Miocic. Almost 10 days ago, a fan on X asked Jones, “Why do you think fighting a 40+ year old firefighter will do anything for your legacy.” He responded, “Yeah, screw the biggest fight of his life and all the money him and his family were supposed to make. Let’s just bump him out of the way, yeah that’s how life works.”
Yeah, screw the biggest fight of his life and all the money him and his family were supposed to make. Let’s just bump him out of the way, yeah that’s how life works. https://t.co/avHrPSemUH
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 14, 2024
On Jones’ latest Instagram post, a fan commented, “would rather fight old man stipe instead of the interim champ”
Jon Jones replied, “I love how high I’ve set the expectations. Even fresh off surgery you guys still don’t give the greatest heavyweight ever a shot.”
There is no doubt about the fact that Miocic’s resume begs for a title shot. The former two-time heavyweight champion is one of the best in the fighting business. However, fans are unconvinced because of Miocic’s age. The American fighter is 41. He will be 42 this August, and it is unlikely that a fight before he turns 42 is confirmed.
On the other hand, 31-year-old Aspinall is at the peak of his powers and fans believe Aspinall vs. Jones will be a much bigger fight. Jon Jones, who will probably fight for one last time in the UFC when he returns, has to think long and hard about what he opts for in his potential final fight.