Despite continued speculation linking him with a decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition following his impending comeback title fight against Stipe Miocic, UFC heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones claims he “can’t just walk away” from the Octagon should he beat the Ohio veteran.
Jones, a former two-time light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight champion, has been sidelined since he lifted vacated gold at the heavyweight limit last March, submitting former interim champion, Ciryl Gane with a first round guillotine choke submission win at UFC 285.
And forced from a November comeback at Madison Square Garden in a title defense against the returning, Miocic, Jones suffered a pectoral tendon tear just two weeks’ out from the bout – resulting in the shelving of the bout.