UFC Rumors: Stipe Miocic Offered To Face Jon Jones For Interim Heavyweight Title

With the status of Francis Ngannou still unclear, the UFC reportedly has an alternative fight in mind for its pay-per-view event on July 2nd.

MMA Junkie reported that former champion Stipe Miocic has been offered an interim heavyweight championship clash for UFC 276, and his opponent would be Jon Jones.

While a Miocic vs. Jones would be an epic main event to look forward to, nothing is set in stone.

There are other factors needed to make it happen, particularly contract-related issues.

Although the contracts of Jones, Miocic and Ngannou have had their share of impasses, UFC president Dana White appears to have something in mind.

“I was just telling somebody the other day, our lineup for this summer is incredible,” White told TMZ. “So I’m hoping Jon Jones is going to be part of that lineup this summer… Stipe makes sense.”

As far as Jones is concerned, a move up to heavyweight has been mentioned in the past.

His last fight was in February 2020 against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, where “Bones” won via unanimous decision to retain the light heavyweight championship.

Jones would vacate the world title six months later.

Miocic last fought at UFC 260 in Mar 2021, where he relinquished the heavyweight belt to Ngannou in a rematch via knockout.

As for Ngannou, the Cameroonian is not exactly a fan of the interim title. He considers it as a form of disrespect–hinting that a Jones vs. Miocic interim heavyweight title clash at UFC 276 may cause more conflict.

Ngannou is currently recovering from knee surgery. He last fought at UFC 270 against Ciryl Gane where he won via unanimous decision in a heavyweight title unification contest.