Gable Steveson reveals Jon Jones is seriously considering UFC comeback after Aspinall vacates title

Jon Jones is seriously considering a return to the UFC following Tom Aspinall’s decision to vacate the heavyweight title, according to his training partner Gable Steveson, who confirmed the conversation at UFC 331 media day.

Aspinall vacated the undisputed heavyweight championship earlier this week after suffering a fresh training setback that will sideline him indefinitely. With Ciryl Gane elevated from interim to undisputed champion, Jones — who retired last year after a prolonged standoff with Aspinall over a unification bout — appears to be reconsidering his position.

“I called Jon today, and he’s honored to have the opportunity to maybe come back,” Steveson said. “He’s always had gold around his waist. It’s cool to have him in my corner. We train every day, one-on-one together.”

Steveson also offered well-wishes to Aspinall, whose eye injury has cast doubt over his future in the sport. “I hope Tom gets well. I hope the eye gets healed up the way it should, and maybe he’ll step in the cage again; I’m not sure. That’s going to be up to him. I’ve always been a Tom Aspinall fan. I think he’s an athletic gift from God that came down and struck the division, but now it’s time to move on.”

Jones and Aspinall shared a fractious rivalry during Aspinall’s time as interim champion, but a unification fight never materialised. Jones instead fought Stipe Miocic before eventually announcing his retirement. He subsequently attempted to unretire ahead of the UFC White House event but has yet to compete, and it remains unclear whether the UFC would sanction a fight between Jones and the newly crowned Gane.

If Jones does not return, Steveson floated Josh Hokit as a worthy contender for Gane’s title. “Josh Hokit would be cool to get the opportunity,” he said. “He puts himself on the map, so it would be nice for him to get an opportunity and see what he can do. I think Ciryl Gane is our best heavyweight right now — he’s fantastic.”

As for his own ambitions, Steveson — an Olympic gold medallist in wrestling — acknowledged he is not yet ready to challenge for UFC gold but set a clear timeline for himself. “I think in the next year and a half or year, I could get to that spot,” he said. “I’ve just got to make sure we’re in the right mindset to make that leap.”