LAS VEGAS – Dana White isn’t sure when Jon Jones will make his heavyweight debut, but the UFC president isn’t ruling out an immediate title shot.
“Last time we talked to Jon Jones, Jon Jones said he was going to take some time and do his things he’s into right now and take some time, and when there’s a right fight, he’ll give us a call,” White said.
Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC), the multiple time UFC light heavyweight champion, recently elected to vacate his title in favor of a move to heavyweight in chase of legacy fights to close his career. Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes will compete for the now-vacant title on Sept. 26 at UFC 253.
In the meantime, Jones has said he’ll look to bulk up a bit in prep for his heavyweight debut. White previously made it clear that the current plan for current UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic is a rematch with the hard-hitting Francis Ngannou.
Could Jones be next in line for the winner, though? White said he wasn’t sure but certainly didn’t rule it out while praising Jones’ pedigree – and evoking a former rival’s name in referee Steve Mazzagatti, who infamously disqualified in a 2009 clash with Matt Hamill, a result that still stands as the lone blemish on Jones’ career record.
“I mean realistically, Jon Jones is undefeated,” White said. “He’s never been beat. Mazzagatti’s been out of the game for years. I don’t mean to keep beating this guy up, but you know. Jon Jones is undefeated.”
Dana White says no timeline for Jon Jones’ heavyweight debut but could be title shot
