UFC plans a duel between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic for the interim heavyweight belt in July, says website

S. Miocic (left) and J. Jones (right) have held UFC belts in the past. Photo: Montage: SUPER FIGHTS

The long-awaited debut of Jon Jones in heavy weights (up to 120,2 kg) it may be about to come out of the paper. Dana White stated that the idea is for the former light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg) to return to the Octagon in the North American summer, in the middle of the year, and that Stipe Miocic is the main candidate to face him.

The statement was made by the president of Ultimate in an interview with the North American website “TMZ Sports”.

“I was telling someone the other day that our squad for this summer is incredible. I'm hoping that Jon Jones be part of this squad this summer. (…) Stipe (Miocic) makes sense,” said Dana White.

According to information from the North American website “MMAJunkie”, obtained from “anonymous sources”, Stipe Miocic recently received an offer to fight Jon Jones worth the interim heavyweight belt in UFC 276, on July 2nd, in Las Vegas.

The creation of a new interim belt in the division is justified by the champion's injury Francis Ngannou, who is expected to remain away for the rest of the year, in addition to still having contractual issues to resolve with the UFC.

Former champion and record holder for title defenses in light heavyweight (up to 93 kg), Jon Jones has not been in action since the victory over Dominick reyes, in February 2020.

Also the record holder for heavyweight title defenses, Stipe Miocic hasn't entered the Octagon since he was dethroned by Francis Ngannou, in March last year.