UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been teasing a move to heavyweight and a potential fight against former champ Stipe Miocic on social media. It seems Miocic will have to wait as Jones will defend his light heavyweight title against Thiago Santos at UFC 239.
It happened hours after Jon Jones teased a fight against former UFC heavyweight champion and his marching orders were revealed. He is expected to defend his title against Thiago Santos on July 6 at UFC 239. UFC president Dana White confirmed the fight to ESPN on Wednesday. Once finalized, Jones vs. Santos will be headlined the UFC’s annual International Fight Week.
Jon Jones appeared back on track after a roller-coaster three year stretch when he was suspended and stripped of UFC titles at three different times for various infractions. Winning his long held 205-pound title in December through a three-round TKO over Alexander Gustafsson started the longest reign of light heavyweight championship. After that he successfully defended his belt against Anthony Smith at UFC 235.
Though a few light heavyweight challengers like Thiago Santos and Johnny Walker have built momentum in recent months, it sounds like “Bones” is setting his sights on bigger fish.
Jones wrote on Twitter,
“I don’t think you guys are ready to witness Stipe Miocic and I would July give you all enough time?”
Though Jones didn’t specify a date or event, one can safely assume he’s aiming for the UFC 239 pay-per-view card on July 6 in Las Vegas.
Jones will face a former middleweight Santos (21-6), who has found new life at 205 pounds. Since moving up in weight, the Brazilian slugger holds a perfect 3-0 record with KO/TKO stoppages over Eryk Anders, Jimi Manuwa, and Jan Blachowicz. In total, Santos has finished 11 of his 13 Octagon wins via KO/TKO stoppages.
Verbal agreements are in place for the fight and has not been formally announced.
UFC 239 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
