UFC: Jon Jones has ‘no intentions’ of ever going back to light heavyweight division
- Former 205-pound champ says it would’ve been ‘selfish’ to hold on to belt and ‘lie to the fans’ that he would defend it again
- ‘I’ve ruined so many people’s dreams of being the light heavyweight champion, and now it’s time for someone else to have it’
Jon Jones has been busy bulking up to 240 pounds for his UFC heavyweight debut in 2021, and it seems he doesn’t plan on ever going back down to the division he formerly ruled.
Two-time light heavyweight champ Jones (26-1) holds a plethora of records at 205 pounds in the Octagon, including the longest unbeaten streak in UFC history (18), most consecutive wins in the division (13), and most wins in UFC title fights (14). He is also tied with Demetrious Johnson (27-3-1) for most successful title defences (11).
But the 33-year-old vacated his belt in August to pursue a long-anticipated move up, and has now claimed he didn’t want to be “selfish” by holding on to it, nor “lie” to fans that he might defend it again.
He also claims he wanted to give other fighters a chance of winning the title.
“The reason why I decided to vacate the light heavyweight belt and not hang on to it is that I knew my move to heavyweight was going to take a really long time,” Jones told Bleacher Report.
“I didn’t want to be one of those athletes to slow down the division. I feel like I’ve held on to the light heavyweight championship for so long, I’ve ruined so many people’s dreams of being the light heavyweight champion, and now it’s time for someone else to have it.
