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Jon Jones willing to fight at UFC 196 if real heavyweight title is on the line

Published Jan. 26, 2016 12:07 p.m. ET

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Damon Martin

Jon Jones is still waiting on word for his title fight rematch with Daniel Cormier, but if the UFC wants to put the heavyweight title on the line next weekend, he's game to go for that belt as well.

Jones has long teased that he would eventually move to heavyweight. But the news that both Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez have pulled out of their title fight next weekend at UFC 196 got the former 205-pound king interested in stepping up to save the show.

Following an injury to Velasquez on Sunday, Werdum was then matched up with Stipe Miocic. Less than 24 hours later, Werdum was also out of the fight and left UFC 196 without a main event and certainly without a heavyweight title matchup.

So Jones took to Twitter to respond to a question about his willingness to step up and accept the fight. Ranked as arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Jones quickly responded that if the real heavyweight title was on the line, he's more than willing to do it.

Obviously the UFC isn't likely to make that scenario unfold considering the card is less than two weeks away and Werdum is the defending champion, who last fought in June 2015.

There's always a chance an interim title could be introduced but it seems Jones is only interested if the real belt was on the line.

Chances are neither situation will actually happen because Jones' next fight against Cormier is likely going to be one of the biggest shows of the year and it's doubtful the UFC would risk that matchup in favor of a short notice heavyweight title fight.

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