UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has seemingly performed a massive U-turn on retirement – just as Dana White predicted.
The Hall of Famer has for the best part of a year hinted that his UFC 309 showdown with Stipe Miocic this coming Sunday morning will be his final foray into the octagon.
GETTYJon Jones returns to the octagon this coming coming Sunday at UFC 309[/caption]
GETTYJones has strongly hinted over the last year that his showdown with Stipe Miocic will be his last fight[/caption]
AFPBut the Hall of Famer has performed a huge U-turn[/caption]
GETTYUFC President and CEO Dana White predicted Jones will postpone retirement[/caption]
Jones, 37, claimed in September his Madison Square Garden melee with Miocic would “likely” be the last time MMA fans ever see him fight.
But the former long-reigning light-heavyweight champion appears to have had a change of tune.
He told the New York Post: “I have this feeling that it could be the last one.
“But I’m also open for it not being the last one.”
Jones, however, is adamant he’s not looking past former two-time heavyweight king Miocic.
He said: “I’ve just got to take it the way I’ve always taken it which is one fight at a time.
“Being on top of this sport for so long, you feel like you have such a large target on your back.
“I’ve learned that being in the future only creates anxiety, so at the end of the day no matter how much competition is in the world they can only fight me one at a time.
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How to Watch UFC 309
The UFC makes it’s annual visit to New York City on November 16 for another blockbuster pay-per-view card.
UFC 309 will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which provided some unforgettable moments since mixed martial arts was legalised in New York state in 2016.
Topping the bill at the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ is the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and former titleholder Stipe Miocic.
And in the co-main event of the evening, Michael Chandler will throw down with former lightweight champion and fellow fan favourite Charles Oliveira.
UFC 309 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cards of what has been another massive year for MMA’s top promotion.
And fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from what promises to be an incredible night at MSG live on TNT Sports Box Office.
The penultimate pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.
UFC 309 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.
And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.
Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
“So I just take it one fight at a time.
“I’ll focus on beating Stipe first and then who’s next will come and I will give him my undivided attention.”
A unification bout with interim title holder Tom Aspinall awaits Jones should he opt to shelve his retirement plans.
But former pound-for-pound king Jones, however, has set his sights on a blockbuster clash with surging superstar Alex Pereira.
When asked if there is anything Brit Aspinall can do to get his competitive juices flowing, he said: “Really nothing.
“I find him annoying and I’ve been here for so long, he just got to the UFC not too long ago.
“If he wanted to fight me he could have been here, it’s like ‘Where have you been all this time?’
“At the end of the day, he has no real standout legacy, I think the only guy he’s beat is Andrei Arlovski and Andrei was very old at the time.
GETTYA unification bout with interim champ Tom Aspinall awaits Jon Jones should he postpone retirement[/caption]
GETTYBut Jones is eyeing a super-fight with 205lbs champ Alex Pereira[/caption]
“So it’s just like, he really has nothing that entices me.
“He reminds me of a bunch of other up-and-comers that I fought where it does nothing for my legacy, really nothing.
“Maybe if he goes on and gets close to my win record maybe I’ll be enticed to come back and see.
“But I highly doubt he’ll do that. Alex Pereira, though, that’s somebody that interests me.
“He had great sagas with Israel Adesanya and he’s beat Jamahal Hill, this guy is a champion killer like myself.
“That type of stuff entices me.”