Jon Jones Sparks Excitement for Heavyweight Title Return

WHO:

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson stated, “I think Jon would like to come back also, maybe seeing this belt open up put another fire into him.”

MMA Mania - Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, Gable Steveson, Ciryl Gane, Josh Hokit, Renato Moicano, Brian Ortega, Sean Sharaf

WHAT:

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson expressed that he believes Jon Jones can still compete at the highest level, stating, “I’ve seen what he can still do and I know he can do it at the highest level.”

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson mentioned that he has heard rumors of a fight between Josh Hokit and Ciryl Gane.

MMA Mania - Tom Aspinall relinquished the undisputed heavyweight title due to an eye injury.

Sportskeeda - Jon Jones retired in 2025 and vacated the heavyweight title instead of pursuing a unification bout with Tom Aspinall.

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson suggested that the opening of the heavyweight title could motivate Jon Jones to return to the UFC.

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson expressed that he believes Jon Jones can compete at the highest level.

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson mentioned that he has seen Jon Jones train daily in Albuquerque.

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson stated that Ciryl Gane deserves the title change and praised him as a fantastic fighter.

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson mentioned that he has heard rumors of a fight between Josh Hokit and Ciryl Gane.

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson’s bout against Sean Sharaf was elevated from the prelims to the main card due to the loss of Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega at UFC 331.

WHERE:

MMA Mania - The UFC 329 event took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

WHEN:

MMA Mania - Tom Aspinall relinquished the heavyweight title on a Monday morning.

MMA Mania - Jon Jones was seen in Gable Steveson’s corner during the UFC 329 event on July 11, 2026.

WHY:

MMA Mania - Tom Aspinall cited an eye injury as the reason for not being medically cleared to fight.

HOW:

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson indicated that the current situation in the heavyweight division may prompt Jon Jones to consider a return to the UFC, suggesting that “desperate times call for desperate measures.”

MMA Mania - Gable Steveson indicated that the current situation in the heavyweight division may prompt Jon Jones to consider a return to the UFC.

Gable Steveson believes that Jon Jones might be considering a return to the UFC, as the current situation in the heavyweight division could ignite his competitive spirit. He expressed confidence in Jones's ability to compete at the highest level, stating, “I’ve seen what he can still do and I know he can do it at the highest level.” Additionally, Steveson mentioned hearing rumors about a potential fight between Josh Hokit and Ciryl Gane.