Gable Steveson Believes Vacant UFC Belt Could Spark Jon Jones Return
UFC heavyweight Gable Steveson believes his training partner Jon Jones could be motivated to return to action with the heavyweight title now vacant.
· VILLAND PICK editorial
Gable Steveson believes former two-division champion Jon Jones may find the motivation to make an Octagon comeback following the recent vacancy of the UFC heavyweight title. Jones retired last year as heavyweight champion after stalling on a unification bout with then-interim champion Tom Aspinall, who was subsequently promoted to undisputed status.
The heavyweight division opened up after Aspinall recently vacated the belt voluntarily. The English fighter had put his title on the line against Ciryl Gane last October, but the bout ended in a first-round no-contest due to an accidental double-eye poke by Gane that left Aspinall unable to continue. Aspinall has remained inactive while recovering from multiple eye surgeries, leading to his decision to relinquish the title. Amid rumors linking unbeaten Josh Hokit to an undisputed title fight against Gane, Steveson believes the changing landscape could entice Jones to return.
Speaking to RMC Sport Combat, Steveson shared his perspective based on their regular sparring sessions. "I have heard rumbles of [Gane vs.] Josh Hokit," Steveson said. "Josh is another fast guy that can keep up with the pace of Gane… I think Jon would like to come back also.
Maybe seeing the belt opens up puts another fire in him. Jon’s my training partner every day in Albuquerque. I know he can do it at the highest level.
Maybe his time will come again and I think it will."
Despite announcing his retirement last year, Jones remains on the UFC roster and has been drug-tested three times in 2026. Meanwhile, Steveson is preparing for his own upcoming bout against Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Sources
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