Jon Jones is ready to delay his UFC heavyweight debut until September in order to face rival Stipe Miocic.
The UFC star has not fought since defeating Dominick Reyes in February 2020. Jones looked set to meet Miocic during International Fight Week in July when he plans to make a switch to the heavyweight division in a bid to become two-weight champion.
However Jones has confirmed on social media that plans have changed, tweeting: "Stipe is saying that he will be at his absolute peak in September. I’m disappointed but patient, I want the heavyweight GOAT at his absolute best. I’ll wait until September. No excuses."
Jones later responded to a fan that claimed the news sucked, replying: "It really does man, my coaches and their families were definitely excited for this fight. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed today." Jones has been heavily paired with current champion Francis Ngannou who is currently out injured and is also at a crossroads over signing a new deal with the promotion.
Jones will likely meet Miocic for the interim title with the winner in pole position to challenge for Ngannou's title if he becomes available to defend it later this year. Miocic hasn't fought since his brutal defeat by Ngannou at UFC 260 last year where he lost his title.
Jones, 34, has faced issues outside of the octagon having been kicked out of his gym in New Mexico last September after being arrested, just hours after he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. He later agreed to a plea deal after being charged with vehicle tampering.
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'Bones' has since refocused on his looming comeback and has been working with Henry Cejudo who is also looking to make a return to the promotion after retiring. His new counterpart believes a meeting with Miocic provides the best challenge for Jones.
"That's the fight that's going to happen," Cejudo told ' The Schmo ' about Jones vs. Miocic. That's where we are going to be able to really see the creativity of Jon. I don't see Stipe with crazy knockout power. I think Stipe's greatest gift is his endurance.
"Jon Jones knows how to win, the only person that can really counter that is a guy that takes risks. That's the only way you're going to beat him. You're not a better competitor than him, he's the best competitor right now in the UFC, pound-for-pound any division Jon Jones is the greatest of all time. he's going to cement that even more so when he wins the heavyweight title."
