Gable Steveson Says Jon Jones Is Eyeing a UFC Comeback After Aspinall Exit

Jon Jones might not be done with the UFC after all. Speaking at UFC 331 media day, Gable Steveson said he called Jones on Tuesday and that the former light heavyweight king is genuinely interested in a comeback now that the heavyweight landscape has been reshuffled. Steveson described Jones as honored by the prospect and made a point of noting the two train together daily, one-on-one.

The opening came fast. Tom Aspinall vacated the heavyweight title earlier this week after another training setback that leaves his return date wide open, and Ciryl Gane — who owns a 14-2 record and knocked out Alex Pereira in the second round in his last outing — was bumped from interim to undisputed champion. Jones spent time celebrating the news on social media before Steveson revealed the comeback conversations were real.

The Jones-Aspinall Loose End

This is the rivalry that never happened. For years Jones held the undisputed belt while Aspinall carried the interim strap, and instead of unifying, Jones fought Stipe Miocic, dithered over an Aspinall bout, then retired last year. He tried to un-retire when the UFC's White House card surfaced but still hasn't stepped back in the cage. Whether the promotion wants a Jones-Gane fight — Gane beat Jones is a different question entirely — remains a genuine unknown.

Steveson, for his part, still spoke warmly about Aspinall, wishing the Brit's eye heals properly and leaving the door open for a return. But he framed it as time to move on. He called Aspinall an athletic gift who struck the division, then pivoted to who's next. His pick for Gane's first challenger, if not Jones: Josh Hokit, whom Steveson praised as a fast-talking self-promoter who could seize the moment.

As for his own timeline, the Olympic wrestling champion isn't pretending he's ready for gold yet. Steveson said he sees himself in title contention within a year to 18 months if he keeps his current training pace and gets his mindset right. He leaned on his wrestling pedigree — beating the best of the best his whole career — to argue he can eventually handle whatever the next big thing at heavyweight throws at him.

First things first. Steveson faces Sean Sharaf on the UFC 331 main card this Saturday, a card co-headlined by Deiveson Figueiredo against Payton Talbott. His title talk is ambitious, but until Jones actually signs a bout agreement, the heavyweight comeback remains exactly what it is right now: a phone call and a rumor.