After relinquishing the light heavyweight gold, Jon Jones had a simple plan in mind. Having ruled over the 205-pounds division for years, Jones wanted to reign over the heavyweight division as well. The best-case scenario which Jones could’ve envisioned was to fight for the gold in his heavyweight debut. It seems that the UFC has granted him his wish.

Talking to TMZ Sports, White didn’t mince words when he addressed the heavyweight debut of Jones. The UFC President said that he knows what Jones wants – the winner of Francis Ngannou vs Stipe Miocic. Hence, the prerequisite for ‘Bones’ to fight for the title is the rematch between Miocic and Ngannou.

“We know what he wants,” White told TMZ. “He wants the winner of Stipe and Francis, so that fight has got to happen first.”

White’s response to whether the UFC brass will grant one of its most dominant, albeit controversial, champion his wish was also an emphatic yes. This means Jones, who has been bulking up since last year, can add double champ to his resume even before this year ends.

Dana White gives an expected timeline for the heavyweight debut of Jon Jones

As of now, Francis Ngannou is the contender for the heavyweight belt that sits with Stipe Miocic. The 38-year-old is a two-time heavyweight kingpin who has formerly defeated the Cameroonian back in January 2018. Since then, Miocic has had a trilogy with Daniel Cormier, which he won 2-1.

Meanwhile, Ngannou has been terrorizing the heavyweight division with his vicious first-round knockouts. Given his twenty-five minutes of Octagon experience with Miocic, one would expect ‘The Predator’ to be wiser this time around. The fight between Ngannou and Miocic will headline UFC 260 in March.

Depending on how the fight plays out, Jones could have his title shot as early as this summer.

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“It should happen this year. It depends if that fight with Stipe and Francis goes off before summer. Then we could have (Jones vs. the winner) happen in the summertime.”

A glimpse at the social media of Jon Jones shows that he has been putting in the work ahead of his long-awaited return. Having already solidified his status as, arguably, the best to step inside the Octagon, the next chapter of his professional career will shape the legacy he eventually leaves inside the Octagon.

Read More: Who are Jon Jones’ Brothers- Arthur and Chandler Jones?