Who will Jon Jones fight next? Possible date for Stipe Miocic floated after UFC 285 win over Ciryl Gane

Daniel Yanofsky

Who will Jon Jones fight next? Possible date for Stipe Miocic floated after UFC 285 win over Ciryl Gane image

Jon Jones made quick work of Ciryl Gane, triumphantly returning to the octagon with an emphatic first round submission of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

After more than three years between fights, Jones wasted no time looking ahead.

Jones called out former champion Stipe Miocic immediately following the win with Miocic sitting right there to take it all in. UFC President Dana White confirmed the interest in a Jones-Miocic showdown as well.

"I don't know when, but [Jones] is definitely fighting Stipe," White told reporters during the UFC 285 post-fight press conference. "He wants the Stipe fight, so we'll make the Stipe fight."

While White wouldn't confirm a date, Miocic himself hinted at a possible spot on the calendar that now seems far more likely following Jones' win.

When will it happen? And who else could Jones face if the Miocic fight falls through? Jones recently signed a new eight-fight deal. At 35, how much longer can he really go? Here's everything we know about what's next for the newly minted UFC heavyweight champion.

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

Miocic won the UFC heavyweight title in 2016. After losing the belt against Daniel Cormier in 2018, he beat Cormier twice, regaining the title and ending the rivalry. Miocic, who has had a history of eye issues, last fought in 2021, losing the belt against Francis Ngannou. 

MORE: Expert picks for every fight on the UFC 285 card

The firefighter told reporters he expects a fight for the heavyweight title to be around International Fight Week in July. It ends a campaign in which Miocic offered his services multiple times to fight Jones in his UFC debut. The UFC went a different direction with Ngannou and the company parting ways. 

A Miocic fight entices Jones.

“I’ve got my sights on Stipe Miocic,” Jones said on a Twitter Spaces stream with Kanpai Pandas via The Independent. “I think it just means the most. There’s a lot of guys out there, but for me personally, for my legacy, to defeat the greatest heavyweight of all time... it just means the most to me."

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Speaking of Ngannou, “The Predator” and Jones have attempted to book a match for years. As of now, this seems like the unlikeliest of outcomes. 

When he was light heavyweight champion, Jones tried to get a deal done. However, he was upset with White regarding how negotiations were going, especially with pay. Jones relinquished the UFC light heavyweight title in hopes the UFC would provide him with what he believes his value is. Not long after vacating, Jones decided to focus his attention on the heavyweight division. 

MORE: Can Jon Jones cement GOAT status at UFC 285?

Ngannou parted ways with the company this year after his own negotiations for better fighter pay fell through. There is always a chance he could come back, right? Per White, that isn’t the case. 

“No,” White stated to reporters via ESPN. “No. We negotiated with him for years. It’s over, that’s over. He’ll never be in the UFC again… I never say never, but I’ll give you a never on that one. We tried.”

Jon Jones vs. Curtis Blaydes or Sergei Pavlovich

The win over Gane seemingly cements his place for the foreseeable future as a heavyweight. Which of course brings into the fold other heavyweight contenders. One upcoming matchup may determine the next contender after Miocic. 

Curtis Blaydes faces Sergei Pavlovich on April 22. Blaydes, a wrestler, has had multiple attempts at becoming a contender snapped at the hands of Ngannou and Derrick Lewis. Now he is on another win streak (three in a row), with two in a row via TKO. Pavlovich is on a five-fight win streak, with all those wins coming via knockout. 

An impressive win by either man could mean a title opportunity. And if Jones calls short against Ganes, he could potentially face the winner or the loser of this matchup.

Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar

The long shot fight that would break the internet just also happens to be the ultimate fantasy fight for Jones. The Sporting News asked Jones who he would face if he could pick anyone, ever. The answer? Brock Lesnar.

 

 

At this moment, another Lesnar fight in the UFC is unlikely. UFC president Dana White told TMZ Sports in 2019 that former UFC heavyweight champion Lesnar, now 45, was “done” with active MMA competition. 

"He's made his decision," White said, via Wrestling Inc. "I don't know where he is in that other world. I know he was looking at doing a new deal with Vince [McMahon] to stay with WWE. I've always had a good relationship with Brock. We've always dealt really well with each other."

Lesnar, a multi-time champion in WWE, will compete at WrestleMania 39 in April against Omos. There are reports Lesnar’s contract will expire soon and he's "finishing up" with the company. But that tends to be the case regarding Lesnar's deals with WWE.

Daniel Yanofsky