Jon Jones would rather fight at UFC 200 than Madison Square Garden

Jon Jones will finally make his return to action this weekend at UFC 197 against Ovince Saint Preux in the main event and if everything goes his way the former light heavyweight champion is already eyeing his next fight.

Jones has been out of action for the past 16 months dealing with legal issues stemming from an April 2015 hit-and-run accident but he's finally happy, healthy and ready to resume his career.

A win over Saint Preux would position Jones for a future fight against long-time rival and current light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.

There are plenty of options for where a fight of that magnitude could land, but if Jones had his way he'd be headlining UFC 200 on July 9 -- even over fighting in his home state of New York as part of the UFC 205 card that will take place at Madison Square Garden on November 12.

"I think headlining UFC 200. It would be bigger," Jones told FOX Sports on Thursday. "I mean that's a huge card. I think the numbers are going to be tremendous.

"As far as pay-per-view, I think 200 would be the bigger opportunity. That's why I'm trying to get on it."

Jones already offered to step up to help save UFC 200 after Conor McGregor was pulled off the card earlier this week when the featherweight champion refused to attend a press conference to promote the event on Friday in Las Vegas.

Jones' willingness to fight three months from now still hinges on a win against Saint Preux and Cormier being healthy enough to fight on July 9 after a shin injury forced him off the UFC 197 fight card.

If UFC 200 doesn't come to pass, Jones certainly wouldn't be disappointed to fight in his home state in November. But July 9 just sounds slightly better.

"The Garden's good, too," Jones said about fighting at UFC 205. "I'll take the Garden in a heartbeat."