Jones: 'I have a date' for next UFC fight

Jon Jones' Octagon return appears to be getting closer and closer to becoming reality.

The UFC heavyweight champion said Saturday night in a post on X that he has reached a verbal agreement for his first title defense, but he did not disclose details. Jones added that he plans to let UFC CEO Dana White announce the matchup.

Jones will be returning to action for the first time since March 2023. The 36-year-old suffered a torn pectoral muscle last October and underwent surgery. Jones' next fight is expected to be against former heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic, whom he was scheduled to face at UFC 295 last November before the injury.

Jones, the former longtime light heavyweight titleholder and one of the greatest fighters of all time, captured the vacant heavyweight belt at UFC 285 with a first-round submission of top contender Ciryl Gane.

Earlier this week, the New York native showed interest in a superfight between him and current 205-pound champ Alex Pereira after he fights Miocic.