There's tons of speculation surrounding the highly anticipated return of Jon Jones to the Octagon, but no one really knows when he'll actually fight for the UFC. Jones is technically eligible to return in October, after serving a 15-month suspension for testing positive for metabolites of an anabolic steroid on July 28, 2017. But while most are speculating a return in early 2019 - which even UFC president Dana White acknowledged - it sounds like could return sooner.
According to ESPN, Dana White revealed via a text message that the promotion is looking to book a light heavyweight fight between Jon Jones (22-1) and Alexander Gustafsson (18-4) for UFC 232 on December 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
"It's one of the greatest light heavyweight title fights in history and I expect the rematch to be the same!!!!" White reportedly said. The fight White is referring to took place at UFC 165 in September 2013. Considered to be one of the best, if not the best, light heavyweight title fights of all time, Gustafsson and Jones battled back-and-forth in an incredible match that went all five rounds. Although Jones won via unanimous decision, there's no doubt Gustafsson took it to the dominant champion.
The two fighters were supposed to meet again in a rematch in September 2014, but Gustafsson pulled out because of an injury. In a recent interview with ESPN, the 31-year-old fighter, who hasn't fought in 2018 but is currently healthy, said a rematch with Jones is "the only fight that really makes sense right now."
Although Jones' representatives have not responded to the report, Jones did mention to RT Sport that he's excited about the possibility of facing Gustafsson in his comeback fight. "I've been hearing about the possibility that Alexander Gustafsson will be the first person I fight when I get back, which I'm excited about," Jones said. "A lot of people feel like he beat me the first time we fought, which didn't happen. It was close, but he didn't beat me."
While Jones vs Gustafsson would certainly be a fight worth getting excited about, it's not like UFC 232 is lacking a noteworthy headliner. UFC 232 will already host a female super fight between featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.