Jon Jones announces Fury Pro Grappling match vs. Jake Hager on Dec. 9

Jon Jones will be back in action against a heavyweight sooner than expected – but not in the UFC.

Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, announced Saturday on Twitter that he is set to compete for Fury Pro Grappling against Bellator fighter and AEW star Jake Hager. The grappling match is scheduled to take place Dec. 9 in New Jersey, according to Jones.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Junkie that the match between Jones and Hager is in the works.

“Breaking News!! I’m excited to announce I’ll be competing for the number one grappling organization in the world, Fury Grappling!” Jones wrote. “December 9th I’ll be in New Jersey competing against WWE superstar and undefeated Bellator heavyweight Jack swagger.”

Fury Pro Grappling, which is run by MMA promotion Cage Fury Fighting Championships, launched in July and streams its events on UFC Fight Pass.

Jones, 34, has been out of action since February 8, 2020 when he won a close decision against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 to retain the 205-pound championship. A few months later, Jones relinquished the title and has since been preparing to fight at heavyweight.

Jones recently was banned from training at his longtime home gym, Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M. Coach Mike Winkeljohn made the decision three weeks after Jones was arrested for alleged domestic violence against his wife on Sept. 24. The incident, in which Jones is accused of leaving his wife bloodied with their children present, took place at a Las Vegas hotel the morning after he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame fight wing.

Hager, 39, was an All-American collegiate wrestler at the University of Oklahoma. He’s unbeaten as an MMA fighter at 3-0 with one no contest, all with Bellator. He most recently won a split decision against Brandon Calton in October 2020 at Bellator 250.

Hager, a longtime pro wrestling star and former WWE champion, is currently an active member of the AEW roster.