UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones said he will undergo surgery on Friday to repair a torn pectoral tendon that left him scratched from his UFC 295 headliner against Stipe Miocic.
From then on, Jones said he will be doing physical therapy for “several months” to heal his injury, but he plans to “get back to work as soon as possible,” he said in a video posted on his Thursday night Instagram account was posted.
Jones, who was in Los Angeles to see a UFC-recommended doctor, apologized to fans and Miocic for having to withdraw from the fight, which marked the first defense of the title he claimed after Francis Ngannou had left the promotion and had his belt revoked.
“Obviously a very sad situation, very disturbing,” Jones said. “But I’ve been through a lot in my life and injuries are part of an athlete’s life. I want to thank the UFC for bringing me to one of the best doctors in the country.
“I wanted to thank Stipe Miocic for all the work he has done. I would also like to apologize to Stipe and his team. Like I said, it comes with the territory.”
Jones released another video earlier this week that appeared to show the moment of his injury, a wrestling sequence in which he audibly screamed in pain. UFC CEO Dana White announced Tuesday Jones’ injury and a replacement for the heavyweight co-headliner between top contenders Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich, who will fight for an interim title. UFC 295 will now be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira.
White expects Jones will need eight months to recover from the injury; If the champion is healthy, the fight with Miocic is expected to be rescheduled.
Aspinall told The MMA Hour on Wednesday that the UFC expects Jones and Miocic could both retire after they face each other at UFC 295, and that he would then face Pavlovich for the vacant title.
It’s unclear how Jones’ injury has changed the trajectory of his career, but for now he will move on.
“I guess Stipe and I will be at a later date and that’s my plan,” Jones said. “Hopefully those other heavyweights, Aspinall and Sergei, gave you a great show. Maybe I’ll even come to the event to see it. But I love you all and hey, your boy Jon Jones is doing well.”
Jones’ full video is below.
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