Gable Steveson: Vacant UFC belt could put ‘fire’ back in Jon Jones

Jones retired last year as heavyweight champion after repeatedly missing the then-interim champion in a title unification bout. Tom Aspinall. Aspinall was then promoted to undisputed status following Jones’ retirement. However, the Englishman recently vacated the belt, which Steveson believes could pave the way for Jones to return to the Octagon.

Gable Steveson believes an open UFC heavyweight title shot could tempt Jon Jones out of retirement

Aspinall put his title to the test Cyril Gane
last October. The fight ended in an anti-climactic no-contest after Gane’s double-eye shot in the first round made it impossible for Aspinall to continue. Aspinall has been inactive since then as he recovers from multiple eye surgeries. He recently relinquished the heavyweight title of his own accord.

Amidst rumors linking the unbeaten Josh Hockey
fighting Gane for the undisputed title, Steveson believes Jones could be lured back into action by the opening of a heavyweight title picture. As Jones’ regular training partner, Steveson is confident that “Bones” can still hold his own against the best heavyweights.

“I’ve heard rumblings of (Gane vs.) Josh Hokit,” Steveson told RMC Sport Combat. “It would be a fantastic fight. Josh is another fast guy who can keep up with Gane’s pace…I think Jon would like to come back as well. Maybe seeing the belt open will spark him. Jon is my training partner every day in Albuquerque. So I’ve seen what he can do. I know he can do it at the highest level. Maybe I think his time will come again.”

While Jones retired last year, he is still on the UFC roster and has failed three drug tests in 2026, leaving the window open for a return. In the meantime, Steveson is slated to take over Old Sharaf
at UFC 331 September 19 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.