Steveson On Jones Returning After Aspinall Vacancy

Gable Steveson believes Jon Jones might come back to the UFC now that the heavyweight title is vacant.

Tom Aspinall dropped the belt Monday, citing another eye injury that has left him medically unable to compete. The British champion's future in the sport is now in question, opening the door for Jones to step back into the cage, according to Steveson, who trains with the former two-division champion daily in Albuquerque.

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Jones Reignited by Open Belt, Training Partner Says

"I think Jon would like to come back also, maybe seeing this belt open up put another fire into him," Steveson told RMC Sport Combat. "Jon's my training partner every day in Albuquerque so I've seen what he can still do and I know he can do it at the highest level, and maybe his time will come again and I think it will."

Jones has waffled on returning to action, and the UFC has shown little interest in recent months. But the promotion now faces a thin roster at heavyweight. Jones holds a first-round stoppage over Ciryl Gane, whose interim belt just upgraded to undisputed following Aspinall's withdrawal. Per MMA Mania, Steveson called Gane a fantastic fighter who has beaten everyone except "the infinity stones of fighting" — a list that includes Jones, Francis Ngannou, and Aspinall.

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Steveson fights Sean Sharaf on Saturday at UFC 331 in a bout bumped to the main card after Renato Moicano pulled out of his matchup with Brian Ortega. The Olympic gold medalist is looking to improve to 2-0 in the UFC this year.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Gable Steveson: Add Jon Jones to list of heavyweights excited for the belt ‘opening up’