Could Jon Jones return to the UFC now that undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has relinquished the title?
Aspinall dropped the belt on Monday morning, citing another eye injury during training that is keeping him from being medically cleared to fight. There’s real concern now that the British heavyweight won’t be able to fight again … which may open the door to former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ return.
In a new interview with RMC Sport Combat, Jones’ acolyte and
training partner Gable Steveson suggested this scenario is exactly what Jones could need to step back into the cage.
“I think Jon would like to come back also, maybe seeing this belt open up put another fire into him,” Steveson said. “Jon’s my training partner every day in Albuquerque so I’ve seen what he can still do and I know he can do it at the highest level, and maybe his time will come again and I think it will.”
Jones has gone back and forth on returning to action, with the UFC seeming less than interested in making it happen. But desperate times call for desperate measures. The UFC only has so many big names at heavyweight right now, and Jones is undoubtedly one of the biggest. He also has a quick first round finish over Ciryl Gane, whose interim belt just upgraded to undisputed.
“I think Ciryl Gane deserves it,” Steveson said of the title change. “He’s a fantastic fighter and he’s a guy that goes out there and he’s beating everybody besides the infinity stones of fighting, Ngannou and Jon, Tom also. So I would love to see Ciryl Gane do his thing, and whatever works for him works for him.”
As for who Steveson wants to see Gane face next, the Olympic gold medalist pointed to another teammate, Josh Hokit.
“I’ve heard rumbles of Josh Hokit [vs. Gane],” Steveson said. “And Josh is another fast guy that can keep up with the pace of Gane. So maybe Josh Hokit can go out there and do his thing. But I’m not sure. Whoever they pick will be a fantastic fight and hopefully it will work out soon.”
For Steveson, the loss of Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega at UFC 331 has led to his bout against Sean Sharaf being elevated from the prelims to the main card. H’es looking to go 2-0 in the UFC in 2026, maybe even 3-0 depending on how Saturday night goes. Could he be placing himself into contender talk in 2027 instead of big-upping all his teammates?
