Jon Jones has officially vacated the UFC light-heavyweight title and is preparing for a move to heavyweight after sour conversations with the promotion seemingly took a positive turn.
Jones (26-1-0-1) broke the news Monday on Twitter. The all-time pound-for-pound great expressed a desire to compete at heavyweight in the future, but not until the UFC showed a willingness to engage in good-faith negotiations.
"Just got off the phone with [the] UFC," Jones began. "Today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere thank you to all my competition, UFC and, most importantly, you fans."
Just got off the phone with @Ufc, today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere thank you to all my competition, Ufc and most importantly you fans.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020
"The last I spoke with UFC about my salary there was no negotiating. If that ever changes, I’d love to come back and compete again as a heavyweight. Until then, I’ll be enjoying Ufc has a fan and doing my best to take care of my family and community," he wrote in subsequent tweets. "In good faith, I will be staying in the testing pool for probably the next half-year or so. I’ll continue to lift weights and train all the different martial arts."
Just got off the phone with @Ufc, today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere thank you to all my competition, Ufc and most importantly you fans.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020
In good faith I will be staying in the testing pool for probably the next half year or so. I’ll continue to lift weights and train all the different martial arts
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020
Later the same day, Jones said a more productive follow-up with the UFC has him optimistic about his future with the promotion. Jones is now preparing mentally and physically for a heavyweight fight.
"Just had a really positive conversation with UFC," Jones tweeted the same day. "Sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at heavyweight. All good news, the weight gaining process begins."
Just had a really positive conversation with @Ufc. Sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at heavy weight. All good news, the weight gaining process begins.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020
Jones expressed a desire to fight UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic following the conclusion of UFC 252. UFC President Dana White insists on giving the next heavyweight title shot to Francis Ngannou. A scrap between top-ranked light-heavyweights Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz is reportedly in the works for UFC 253. The stakes of the bout are uncertain, but a vacant title fight could now be feasible.
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