Jon Jones rejects interest in returning to light heavyweight: 'I've already ruined the dreams of many fighters'

J. Jones at the official UFC weigh-in. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufcbrasil

Jon Jones he abandoned the light heavyweight belt (up to 93.1 kg.) and still has no date for his debut in the heavyweight division (up to 120,2 kg.). However, although he has not yet debuted in the new division, he guarantees that the change will be permanent. In an interview with the North American website Bleacher Report, Bones said he has no interest in moving between two divisions.

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“The reason I decided to give up the light heavyweight belt is that I knew my move to heavyweight would take a long time. I didn't want to delay the category. I feel like I defended the title for too long and ruined a lot of fighters' dreams - and now it's someone else's time to have it,” Jones stated.

Jones also highlighted that he could stop the division and remain champion, as they did Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier e Henry Cejudo on other opportunities. However, according to him, there would be no point in 'lying to the fans', as he has no plans to return to light heavyweight.

“I thought it was the right thing to do. I could have thought like a selfish person and made up a bunch of excuses, lied to the fans and said I was going back to light heavyweight. ​Could keep all these guys waiting. I didn't want to do that. I have no intention of returning to light heavyweight,” added the fighter.

Miocic or Ngannou?

It is estimated that Jon Jones will make his debut in the heavyweight category in a title fight, to face the winner of Stipe Miocic x Francis Ngannou 2, which should take place in March. Asked who he would prefer to face, the North American says he has no preference.

“I’ll be ready for any of them. Both fights are extremely challenging. Stipe (Miocic) is the greatest heavyweight of all time. He has all the statistics and records to prove it. And then Francis (Ngannou) is just an aberration when it comes to his knockout power, and he's constantly improving. Both fights are gigantic challenges, but that's what I'm here for at this stage of my career: to go big and see what I've got,” he concluded.

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