Jon Jones Eyes October Return for Gustafsson Bout

5626517217 f23be400be zAlthough UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was reportedly healing well from the gruesome toe injury suffered against Chael Sonnen and eying a late summer return, it appears that his doctors have recommended he slow down in his return. Because of this, Jones is looking to make his return to the Octagon this fall, namely October, for a bout with young contender Alexander Gustafsson.

Last night on “UFC Tonight,” Ariel Helwani said he spoke to a source in Jones’ camp and that is the plan:

“I spoke to a source in his camp and he told me that, well, Jon was hoping to return around the summertime, in the next couple months or so, but his doctor told him to slow his roll, that his toe he injured would not be ready. So now he is shooting for a return in October. He wants to fight Alexander Gustafsson, Gustafsson wants to fight him, he wishes this fight happened yesterday. That’s what he’s hoping for.”

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Although the UFC 157 bout between Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida was supposedly for a light heavyweight title shot, nothing seems to be set in stone for title shots. Dana White has recently been heard saying that it is tough to give Machida another title shot because Jones finished him so easily in their first fight. So, Machida drew Phil Davis later this summer, and Jones is waiting on the shelf until his mangled toe is fully healed.

Jones and Gustafsson had a highly publicized staredown when their paths crossed in Russia. Most MMA fans and media realize that the two are on a collision course, and that a bout between them is inevitable. It’s just a matter of when it will take place.

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And when it does, Jones will be going for his record-setting sixth title defense at 205. Is Gustafsson the man to finally derail the dominant ‘Bones?’