Jon Jones will make the first defence of his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic - if he beats Ciryl Gane tonight.
Jones will return to the cage tonight for the first time in three years as he makes his debut at heavyweight against his French rival. And should he become a two-weight champion, he will be booked to take on former ruler Miocic this summer.
"He's absolutely the next one, whoever wins on Saturday night will face Stipe next," confirmed UFC president Dana White. And Miocic himself said: "I was told that [I'll fight the winner], so we’ll see. Hopefully, nothing is permanent until it’s written a contract with a signature, but we’ll see."
And when asked for a prediction for tonight's fight, Miocic kept his cards close to his chest, adding: "I thought I was getting the fight. Unfortunately, I’m not. Jones is coming back. Everyone wants to see it, and Ciryl, that dude is tough. It’s going to be a hell of a fight. … Whoever it is, if it is Jones it is. My approach is I’m going to beat that ass."
Miocic had two reigns as heavyweight champion, beating Fabricio Werdum in 2016 before making three defences of his belt. He then lost to Daniel Cormier before avenging his defeat to win back his belt before winning the rivals' trilogy.
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The 40-year-old was then knocked out by Ngannou two years ago in his last fight with the promotion. Ngannou went on to defend his title against Gane last year before leaving the promotion after failing to agree a new contract.
Meanwhile, victory for Jones, 35, would put him back in the conversation for top pound-for-pound fighter, a spot currently held by featherweight Alexander Volkanovski. “I’m fighting to be the greatest fighter ever, not to be the best pound-for-pound right now,” Jones said. “I just don’t see myself losing to a guy like Ciryl Gane." His French rival, 32, added: "This is going to put my resume at the high level for sure."
