UFC fans were met with the unfortunate news that Jon Jones will no longer be part of the highly anticipated heavyweight title clash against Stipe Miocic. The announcement came directly from UFC CEO Dana White via social media, leaving UFC enthusiasts in disbelief.
Jones had been slated to defend the UFC heavyweight title against Miocic, a former champion, in what was expected to be the main event of UFC 295 scheduled for November 11th in New York. White revealed that Jones suffered a severe injury during training on Monday night when he tore a pectoral tendon off the bone. The severity of the injury necessitates surgery, which, in turn, will keep him sidelined for approximately eight months.
With Jones no longer in the lineup, a major reshuffling of the card was in order. The vacant light heavyweight title bout, initially scheduled between former champion Procházka and former middleweight titleholder Alex Pereira, has been promoted to the main event at Madison Square Garden. To further amp up the excitement, a new co-main event has been added: Tom Aspinall will square off against Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title.
The absence of Miocic from the card is undeniably a major blow, as the showdown with Jones was highly anticipated. Fans are speculating that the UFC didn’t want to pay a premium for Miocic to stay on the card and opted an interim clash instead.
Sources indicate that there is still a desire to reschedule the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic for a major card in 2024. Considering Miocic is close to his retirement this may or may not materialize. He hasn’t competed in a couple of years now.
Additionally, video footage of the injury has surfaced, providing a glimpse into the unfortunate incident. The video captures Jones in the midst of a takedown attempt on a sparring partner. However, things take a painful turn as the partner counters with an overhook, causing Jones to react in evident discomfort.
It is apparent that the injury centers around the pectoral area, though no official statement from the UFC regarding the nature of the injury has been made. It is worth noting that pectoral and bicep tears are often associated with PED use. Studies suggest a link between these injuries and weight training, particularly bench-press exercises. Other factors associated with pectoral muscle ruptures include older age and anabolic use, with the latter contributing to the likelihood of such injuries due to increased force production and tendon stiffness. While the exact cause of Jones’s injury remains unconfirmed, it adds a layer of intrigue and concern to the situation.