Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is finally on his way to making a comeback to the UFC. However, it seems like the timeline has been stretched out and fans are convinced that Jones will not return in 2022.
Previously, it was confirmed that Jones will fight the former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 282. He was supposed to make his heavyweight debut this year and has been bulking up for that. But the UFC announced Jiří Procházka vs. Glover Teixeira would headline UFC 282. This means it is very unlikely that Jones will fight Miocic in a non-main event fight.
Recently, Jones took to Twitter while taking a cheeky dig at Miocic. ‘Bones’ told Miocic to sign the contract for UFC 282 and wrote: “I’m bringing all the heat @Stipemiocic, I got that fire you could never put out. Sign the contract #Ufc282.”
I’m bringing all the heat @Stipemiocic, I got that fire you could never put out. Sign the contract #Ufc282
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 28, 2022
On the other hand, UFC President Dana White has recently confirmed that Jones will make his return early next year. So, this leaves any possibility of Jones fighting this year. ‘Bones’ last fought back in 2020, against Dominick Reyes. Shortly after, he vacated the light heavyweight belt and decided to move up a weight class.
For his return fight, Jones is most likely to fight in some kind of title fight. Jones will fight either for the interim title against Miocic. The other possibility is him fighting for the heavyweight championship against Ngannou. But for now, it looks like Jones is not making his comeback this year.
Fans react to Jon Jones calling out Stipe Miocic For UFC 282
It did not take much time for the fight fans to understand that Jon Jones will not fight Stipe Miocic at UFC 282 as confirmed earlier. However, Jones is still adamant about taking the fight as he has called out Miocic on Twitter to sign the contract for UFC 282.
One user replied to Jones with a cheeky dig while mentioning his previous failed drug test. He wrote: “The last time you brought the heat was when you submitted a urine sample to USADA.”
The last time you brought the heat was when you submitted a urine sample to USADA.
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey) October 28, 2022
Another user replied to Jones’ tweet with a sarcastic comment: “unless y’all are fighting in the parking lot it’s not happening.”
unless y’all are fighting in the parking lot it’s not happening
— tyler (@tyyIer) October 28, 2022
Another fan was assured that the fight is off as the ticket for UFC 282 is not even worth “Jones’ price.”
I’m so over this shit! Ain’t no way this fight happens at 282 tickets went on sale and they are not @JonnyBones prices… if this fight happens at 282 I’ll run to the cage like that girl in Az 😂 cash me outside
— lovemesomeufc (@chacatoast) October 28, 2022
Jones took a dig at Miocic regarding him being a part-time firefighter. His words made a fan upset as it seems like he is also a firefighter. He replied:
Disrespectful to professional firefighters iMo, we endeavour to put out each and every fire.
— superCalo (@superCalo) October 28, 2022
Jones will be making his debut in the heavyweight division and fans are very eager to see him in action again. For his return fight, he was set to fight Ngannou. However, as Ngannou is recovering following his ACL surgery, Miocic was called as a replacement. Meanwhile, Miocic has not competed since his loss to the current heavyweight champion, Ngannou back in March 2021.