Jon Jones was offered the chance to headline the historic UFC 300 card on nine weeks’ notice, but the heavyweight champion disclosed refusing the offer.
Jones is still on a break due to surgeries he took to fix his elbow and torn pectoral muscle. The timeline of his return remains unknown, but there were some earlier speculations that the icon could join the UFC 300 on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada. According to “Bones,” he was actually offered the top spot on the card, but he declined the offer due to his condition. Despite admitting that he’s now recovering, the champ stressed the importance of taking fights when he’s completely ready and capable.
“I got a call from Hunter Campbell, one of the head lawyers of the UFC (and) he said, ‘Jon, I know it’s only nine weeks away, but if there’s any chance you’re feeling up to it, it would be awesome news for the community that you’re coming back and headlining one of the biggest events ever,’” Jones said on Submission Radio. “And, as honored as I am for the opportunity, I just don’t think I’ll be ready. I just don’t. So I’m getting up there in age, and I only have a few more events left, and I want to give those events my all and make sure that I come back 100 percent.”
After his fight with Stipe Miocic, Jones is considering postponing his retirement, giving fighters in his division the hope of meeting him soon. That includes Tom Aspinall, who made repeated callouts in the past. However, as Jones pointed out, he only wants Miocic for his next fight and that the Briton still hasn’t made the cut to deserve a match against him. To recall, in his past tirades, the champ lambasted Aspinall’s record and even called the fighter’s interim belt an “imaginary championship.” Despite this, Jones toned down his comment about Aspinall this time, noting that his push for the Miocic fight is just a matter of “unfinished business.”
“I think it’s definitely going to be Stipe,” Jones said. “Stipe and I have both been in the sport for a long time. I don’t think Stipe is getting the respect that he deserves. Me and Stipe have unfinished business, and I think it’s the only fair thing to do. I’m excited for Tom and his future.”
