Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira's rematch for the light heavyweight championship is already scheduled for the program.
Follow Us
It appears like at least a portion of the UFC’s heavyweight contender field has been decided. The biggest MMA company in the world boasts three great athletes who have been content to wait for the ideal opportunity to return to the Octagon: current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, past heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, and former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
In addition to the already scheduled Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira 2 title fight, Ariel Helwani reports that the Endeavor owned promotion is reportedly in the early stages of negotiations for a heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. This news comes as there have been rumors that something significant is developing for UFC 282.
If they can get Jones x Miocic done, that’ll be the UFC 282 main. If not, the main will be Prochazka x Teixeira 2.
And if they can’t get Jones x Miocic done for 12/10, they’ll set their sights on doing Ngannou x Jones in March, if Ngannou re-signs. Developing.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 14, 2022
READ MORE: Top 5 fastest UFC knockouts of all-time
As said, Jon Jones is the link between the two prospective matches the UFC is attempting to schedule. That would appear to imply that “Bones” has finally reached a new contract arrangement with the promotion after more than two and a half years of waiting in the wings. After successfully defending the light heavyweight championship against Dominick Reyes in 2020, Jones renounced his claim to the belt, stating that his only opponents were in a different category. But the UFC would have to dig further into their pockets to really execute the move.
However, Jones has previously hinted that he was prepared to return to the UFC, even teasing the December 10th PPV show as a prospective event. That component of the puzzle appears to be in place, leaving the UFC to put the remaining parts. When asked about a fight with Jones in November of last year, Miocic—who hasn’t competed since losing his championship to Ngannou in March of 2021—sounded quite receptive. Miocic has been advocating for a third opportunity to face the “Predator” and a chance to win back his title.
Stephen Thompson declines the quick turnaround fight and wants Usman next.
