Gable Steveson says Jon Jones may eye UFC return after Tom Aspinall vacates heavyweight title

Jon Jones could be considering a return to the UFC after Tom Aspinall relinquished the heavyweight title earlier this week, Gable Steveson said in comments to RMC Sport Combat on Sept. 16, 2026. Steveson, who trains with Jones in Albuquerque, suggested the open belt might have reignited his teammate’s interest in competing.

Aspinall vacated the championship because of ongoing eye problems, the source reported, and had been scheduled to rematch Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 before another training injury left his return timeline uncertain. Jones had previously retired after repeatedly avoiding a matchup with Aspinall, who was interim champion at the time. Reports cited in the source said the UFC offered Jones $30 million to take the fight; Jones ultimately retired from competition, allowing Aspinall to be elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion.

“I think Ciryl Gane deserves (the undisputed title) he’s a fantastic fighter and he’s a guy that goes out there and he’s beating everybody besides the infinity stones of fighting, (Francis) Ngannou and Jon,” Steveson told RMC Sport Combat.

Steveson also commented directly on Jones’s potential interest, saying: “I think Jon would like to come back also, maybe seeing this belt open up put another fire into him. Jon’s my training partner everyday in Albuquerque so I’ve seen what he can still do and I know he can do it at the highest level, and maybe his time will come again and I think it will,” Steveson added.

Josh Hokit has called for a shot at the championship, while Alex Pereira has also continued to pursue a heavyweight title opportunity. UFC legend Chris Weidman has suggested that Pereira is currently the frontrunner to face Gane, potentially setting up a rematch between the two fighters.

For Jon Jones, however, a return remains uncertain; Steveson’s remarks offer his view of what could happen, but there has been no confirmation that the former two-division champion is officially preparing for a UFC comeback.

Aspinall’s decision to vacate came after ongoing eye issues prevented him from receiving medical clearance to compete, and with Aspinall stepping aside Ciryl Gane — who holds the interim belt — is set to become the undisputed heavyweight champion; his next title defense is already attracting potential challengers including Josh Hokit and Alex Pereira.