JON JONES has revealed how much he’ll weigh for his eagerly-anticipated octagon return.
The Hall of Famer will be back in action a week on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 309 in New York, where he’ll defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic.
Jones defends his belt against former champ Stipe Miocic at Madison Square GardenGETTY
GETTYJon Jones returns to the octagon at UFC 309 to defend his heavyweight title[/caption]
ALAMYJones weighed a whopping 17 stone and seven pounds for his return fight last March[/caption]
GETTYBut the Hall-of-Famer has dropped over a STONE for his melee with Miocic[/caption]
The MSG melee will mark Jones’ second outing at heavyweight, the first of which took place last March and saw him claim the then-vacant title.
The former long-reigning 205lbs champion bulked up to a whopping 17 stone and seven pounds for his first heavyweight outing but has trimmed down considerably for his clash with Miocic.
And he’ll enter the octagon a stone LIGHTER for the MSG melee.
In an interview with The New York Post, the 37-year-old said: “Right now, I’m pretty light. I’m like 235lbs (16 stone and seven pounds).”
Jones was happy with the frame he had for his two-minute demolition of Ciryl Gane but reckons he doesn’t need to be as big going forward.
He said: “I bulked up, I got really strong and I felt how I was going to feel.
“I got that data down on how I would feel and now, more than ever, I feel I don’t need all that size to win as a heavyweight.
“But I’m grateful for my decision.”
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How to Watch UFC 309
The UFC makes it’s annual visit to New York City on November 16 for another blockbuster pay-per-view card.
UFC 309 will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which provided some unforgettable moments since mixed martial arts was legalised in New York state in 2016.
Topping the bill at the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ is the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and former titleholder Stipe Miocic.
And in the co-main event of the evening, Michael Chandler will throw down with former lightweight champion and fellow fan favourite Charles Oliveira.
UFC 309 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cards of what has been another massive year for MMA’s top promotion.
And fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from what promises to be an incredible night at MSG live on TNT Sports Box Office.
The penultimate pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.
UFC 309 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.
And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.
Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
Jones reckons his trimmer frame will put him at an advantage against former two-time champion Miocic.
The fan favourite said: “I’m just a little guy but I feel fast and very strong.
“I weight-lift with heavyweights all the time and I compete with heavyweights all the time
“And being overpowered, usually, isn’t my issue. So that’s why I feel really good.”
Former middleweight champion and TNT Sports pundit Michael Bisping, however, reckons Jones could end up being at a size disadvantage.
“Stipe Miocic is naturally the bigger guy,” he said in an exclusive interview with SunSport. “He’s the stronger guy and he hits harder.
“If anyone is going to get knocked out by one punch, it’s going to be Jon Jones.
“He also has the wrestling to stop Jon Jones.
“Look at those fights with ‘DC’ [Daniel Cormier], he was able to give ‘DC’ as good as he got when it came to the wrestling department.
“For Stipe, he’s going to come in angry and very motivated.”
Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November. For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice.
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