Jon Jones asks the UFC for a new opponent: 'Send them my way'
As disappointed as Jon Jones might be that Daniel Cormier is injured and he can no longer compete for the light heavyweight title at UFC 197, the former champion wants to remain on the card against any replacement the promotion can find him.
Jones famously turned down a short notice fight at UFC 151 in 2012 when his original opponent Dan Henderson suffered an injury and the promotion attempted to replace him with Chael Sonnen instead.
Jones posted a message via Instagram on Saturday where he reiterated that taking a last minute fight isn't typically his thing, but considering the tumultuous year he's endured, he's anxious to fight against anybody who's willing to step up to the challenge.
In fact, Jones even says he'll take a last minute replacement at light heavyweight or heavyweight -- whatever it takes to save the UFC 197 main event.
"Hey ya'll know I'm not into taking last minute fights. It's not the way me and my trainers do things but this last year has been real crazy and I feel like I owe my fans so much," Jones said on Saturday.
"So UFC -- whether you've got a heavyweight, light heavyweight, it doesn't matter. Let's keep this main event going -- send them my way."
Jones was expected to face Cormier on April 23 but as FOX Sports reported late Friday night, the current 205 pound champion suffered a shin injury that forced him out of the contest later this month.
There is no exact timeline for Cormier's return to action but Jones isn't going to wait around for him to get healthy and instead invites a replacement to step up to the challenge to face him in about three weeks time.
The most likely candidate is No. 1 contender Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, who was actually supposed to fight Jones in 2015. The fight was scrapped after Jones was arrested and charged for a hit-and-run accident in New Mexico that eventually led to a suspension and having his title belt stripped.
Johnson last fought in January when he knocked out Ryan Bader in the first round to declare the next contender in the light heavyweight division.
If Johnson is prepared, a showdown with Jones at UFC 197 could be the perfect scenario to headline that card with Cormier sitting on the shelf due to injury.
UFC officials still haven't confirmed Cormier's exit from the card but considering Jones willingness to fight a replacement, chances are an announcement will be coming from the promotion very soon.
