Widely considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jon Jones is second only to Conor McGregor in terms of popularity and marketability.
"Bones" suffered a torn pectoral muscle in November 2023, which is expected to sideline the heavyweight champion until Summer 2024.
Despite this, Jones revealed the UFC did offer to have him headline the promotion's tricentennial PPV, UFC 300, on April 13:
"I got a call from Hunter Campbell, one of the head lawyers of the UFC," Jones told Submission Radio. "Asking me, 'Jon I know it's only nine weeks away but if there's any chance you're feeling up to it, man it'd be awesome news for the community that you're coming back and headlining one of the biggest events ever.'
"As honored as I am for the opportunity, I just don't think I'll be ready - I just don't. I'm getting up there in age, I only have a few more events left and I want to give those events my all and make sure that I come back one-hundred percent."
A disappointing result for many. However, fans have been more than skeptical about Jones' status since he was filmed training with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on February 9:
The footage shows an allegedly injured Jones spearing a professional rugby player onto some mats, which has convinced some fans that the heavyweight champion is in good form to return to the octagon.
"Shoulder is all good then?"
"Thought he was injured?"
"Looks like the pec and elbow are doing good huh."
"Seems ready to fight Tom Aspinall."
If not UFC 300, Jones' timeline should align with the UFC's plans to host an event at the Vegas Sphere. UFC CEO Dana White has remarked that the UFC will "put on the greatest live sporting event anybody has ever seen."
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