Jon Jones confirms his potential heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic may be his final fight unless former champion Francis Ngannou returns to the UFC.
Jon Jones has confirmed that his potential heavyweight title defense against former champ Stipe Miocic will likely be his final fight, unless another former champion can somehow make his return to the UFC. After winning the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane in March, Jones is set to face Miocic next. UFC President Dana White indicates that the promotion is targeting the blockbuster bout to take place at Madison Square Garden later this year. Should Jones be victorious in that contest, he believes that defeating Miocic would be enough to solidify his legacy forever and give him enough to retire.
“I feel like the Stipe fight will be plenty for me,” Jones told Fox Sports Australia. “I really don’t feel like I have much to prove after beating Stipe Miocic. I’ve been in the game a long time, and in fighter years, I’m an old guy.” Jones also expressed his desire to focus on family and personal health, stating, “I’ve got some small injuries, and I just really want to be around for my family, I want to be around for my kids, I want to be able to play with my kids and have a good head on my shoulders, and joints that work. So yeah, I can see it coming to an end really soon.”
However, Jones hasn’t completely closed the door on his career. When asked if there would be another fight that would keep him around a bit longer, the 35-year-old mentioned that if current free agent and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou could return to the UFC, he would entertain that lucrative matchup before retiring. “I do believe a Francis Ngannou fight would be worth entertaining not retiring,” Jones explained. “I think a Francis fight would come with some serious revenue, and that would make it worth my while. Francis is a former champion, he’s pretty damn popular [in the U.S.], and across the world. It would bring in a lot of money, and for that, I’d be willing to come back.”