Jon Jones says negotiations with UFC under way: ‘I will be competing in 2025, more than likely’

Jon Jones believes he will more than likely fight in the UFC octagon in 2025.

Jones recently defended the UFC heavyweight title successfully with a lopsided TKO victory over former champ Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 earlier this month. “Bones” is hoping to get a big pay bump to resume his career as he’s eyeing a fight with light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira — while the rest of the MMA community wants to see Jones face interim champ Tom Aspinall in a unification bout.

But as of now, Jones, his team, in the UFC are in communication.

“So right now, the UFC and I, we’re in negotiations,” Jones told The Schmo. “We’re in talks to see what happens next. I’m back in the gym, I’m training, I feel really great. The team’s support, they’re right behind me, and we’ll just be ready for whatever opportunity comes our way.

“There is [a dollar amount in mind], but I’m not going to discuss that publicly. We’ll just have to wait and see. ... I will be competing in 2025, more than likely.”

Jones is 2-0 since making the move to the heavyweight division, which includes a quick submission of Ciryl Gane to win the division’s title at UFC 285 in March 2023. After the heavyweight debut victory, Jones called for Miocic, and after injuries, a fight cancellation, a rebooking, and nearly two years on the sideline, Jones says beating the 42-year-old Miocic has a different significance in the aftermath.

“It’s been awesome,” Jones said. “Something feels different about this win. I feel like the whole world’s really excited about it. The UFC has elevated it to an even higher place, and I feel at the right place at the right time. I’m grateful for it all.”