The UFC light heavyweight title picture is starting to get a little clearer but not according to the champion himself.
Jon Jones last competed at UFC 239 in July, when he defended his 205-pound title with a split decision win over Thiago Santos. On the same night, Jan Blachowicz knocked out former middleweight champ Luke Rockhold, but that didn’t earn him a title shot.
Last weekend at UFC on ESPN 6, Dominick Reyes took out another former 185-pound champ in short order, finishing Chris Weidman by TKO in the first round. But apparently, that also isn’t enough to entice Jones, either.
So what’s next for Jones? He took to Twitter late Tuesday night to clarify things a little, stating that he wants a big fight and venting his frustration on the current landscape of the division he rules.
Where did all the big names in the light heavyweight division go?
Had a chip on my shoulder against Gus. Fighting Smith Santos Dominic??? I’m having a hard time even talking (expletive) to this last dude. They all say the same lame shit.. I want a fight to be excited about.
Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC) went on to add that he’s not sure when he’ll return to action, as it looks highly unlikely it will be before the end of the year as he originally desired. With rival and former two-division champ Daniel Cormier likely facing heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic in a trilogy fight next, Jones is left without a big name to challenge – or as he put it, a superfight.
Really not sure when I’ll be fighting next, feel like I have nothing to gain by beating Dominic. I’ve actually felt that way about my last two opponents. I want a super fight.
There is one big name, however, also looking for a fight, and that’s Francis Ngannou. When asked about him, Jones responded by saying he certainly sees himself fighting “The Predator” at some point.
I feel like that fight is inevitable.
It’s unclear what’s next for Jones, who notched eight title defenses in his first run as champion. After regaining the belt with a dominant win over Alexander Gustafsson in their rematch last December, Jones defended the title twice this year with wins over Anthony Smith and Santos.
Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker is another pivotal light heavyweight bout coming up next month at UFC 244. Perhaps something happens there to get Jones interested.
