MMA commentator Jon Anik commented on Jon Jones’ withdrawal from UFC 295, saying it was unsurprising.
UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones was supposed to face former champion Stipe Miocic for his first heavyweight title defense on November 11 in New York’s Madison Square Garden. However, as announced by UFC CEO Dana White in October, Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle, with the championship fight postponed to a later date. This resulted in an interim heavyweight championship this coming Saturday between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall.
Anik has recently commented on the news of Jones (via MMA Fighting) withdrawing from the bout, saying it is not surprising that it did not happen.
“Not surprised, with respect,” Anik told MMA Fighting. “I thought it was ambitious to suggest that Jon Jones after that type of extended layoff would compete at UFC 285 in March and then be able to turn it round again in early November. I just thought it was ambitious, with respect.
“You know how seriously Jon Jones takes all of these championship fights. No man, nor woman has won as many title fights as Jon Jones and that really is the only biggest record that actually matters, but I have to wonder aloud, was this injury preventable, had he been in the gym for every minute that he possibly could be dating to that past title [fight] — and I’m not necessarily suggesting that that’s the right recipe for success either — but I’m not surprised that this fight did not necessarily materialize.”
Unfortunately, there’s still no exact detail on when the bout between the ex-champ and the current UFC heavyweight champion will happen. Yet, White suggested that it could take up to eight months for Jones to recover. Anik, meanwhile, expressed hope that the “legacy fight” would be achieved by Summer 2024.
“I do hope that they can make this fight [between Jones and Miocic], and rather expeditiously inside of 10 months because it is a little bit muddy now with the UFC interim heavyweight champion set to be crowned here [at UFC 295],” Anik said. “…Gosh, I can’t wait for that fight, and I do think the UFC will be able to un-muddy the muddy waters when it comes to the championship, and the pecking order, and all of that. Hopefully, Jon Jones gets healthy with the pectoral.”
