While a planned fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic is not going forward in the main event of UFC 295 next month, the matchup is reportedly still a possibility on the 2024 UFC schedule.
This week revealed a shocking shakeup to the top of the UFC’s pay-per-view event inside New York’s Madison Square Garden on Nov. 11. The originally planned heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was called off after the champion suffered a tear to his pectoral tendon in training.
Related: Jon Jones Injury Causes Major Changes to UFC 295
Instead, the co-main event light heavyweight title bout featuring Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira was elevated to the headliner. Furthermore, top contenders Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall were added to the card and would compete for an interim heavyweight title in the card’s new co-headliner. That bout had many wondering about the future of division great Stipe Miocic.
The two-time champion has not fought in over two years and only seems interested in high-profile lineal title bouts. With Jones expected to be sidelined for the next eight months, it was unclear when, or even if, Miocic would finally return to the Octagon.
- Jon Jones record: 27-1 (10 KOs, 7 submissions)
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic in July 2024 is a possibility
However, a new report from ESPN MMA insider Marc Raimondi suggests that the UFC still wants to put on the fight that would have pit the greatest fighter in MMA history versus the sport’s best heavyweight ever.
“The UFC is still hoping to rebook Jones vs. Miocic when Jones gets healthy, sources tell me,” Raimondi wrote on Wednesday. “So, yes, they will both fight again and that will still be a big main event next year. Besides Conor McGregor, Jones is the biggest drawing card the UFC has right now — with the potential exception of Sean O’Malley — and his going up against Miocic is a great story and legacy fight for both.”
The veteran MMA reporter suggested International Fight Week next July would be an “ideal scenario” for the fight to happen. That would be nine months after surgery but may not be enough time for a full recovery and a fight camp for Jon Jones.
