A third installment of one of MMA’s most significant rivalries may be on the horizon.
Jon Jones has made it clear that he wants to return to the UFC, with Alex Pereira as his top choice for an opponent. The White House is the stage he has in mind for his comeback next year.
‘Bones’ had previously relinquished his heavyweight title earlier this year by announcing his retirement. However, the UFC’s announcement of a unique event planned for 2026 ultimately led to him changing his mind.
Even though Jones recently claimed he was not interested in fighting Tom Aspinall, even for $30 million, there are now signs that something else has caught his attention enough to make him think about stepping back into the octagon.
Jon Jones says he has accepted a trilogy grappling match with Daniel Cormier
Jones’ feud with Daniel Cormier was one of the most personal in MMA history, and while the GOAT contender won both light heavyweight title fights between them in 2015 and 2017, their second bout was later changed to a no contest after ‘Bones’ failed a drug test.
Even years later, their rivalry has not faded from memory.
Recently, Jones was asked by fans if he would ever consider competing in grappling. The 38-year-old replied by saying that he has actually recently agreed to a charity grappling match with Cormier.
“I was approached the other day about grappling DC for charity, I said absolutely. Let’s see what comes of it. 3-0.”
Jon Jones already has a grappling win against a UFC legend
In their first meeting at UFC 182, Jones made history by becoming the first fighter to take ‘DC’ down in the Octagon.
‘Bones’ has shown his grappling skills outside of that rivalry as well, including a Submission Underground match against UFC icon Dan Henderson in December 2016.
The two were originally slated to meet at UFC 151 back in 2012. However, an injury forced Henderson out, and Dana White was left frustrated when Jones declined to accept a late replacement opponent.
Years later, they finally met on the mat, where Jones submitted Henderson with an arm-triangle choke.
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