Jones: Reyes win showed I lost my spark at light heavyweight
Jon Jones has an answer for why his most recent performances weren't as pretty as the rest.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion tweeted Tuesday he believes he ultimately lost his spark in the division after being at the top on and off for nearly a decade.
My candle for light heavyweight blew out, it showed in my last fight, instead of being discouraged by a bad performance, I’m stoked about this new season. New energy. My time at LWH was over, I see that more clear today than ever
— BONY (@JonnyBones) March 29, 2022
Jones hasn't stepped into the Octagon since a unanimous decision win over Dominick Reyes in a February 2020 fight that many pundits thought should have gone Reyes' way.
Before that, Jones retained the 205-pound belt with a split-decision triumph over Thiago Santos in July 2019. Santos, who suffered a knee injury in the bout, became the first fighter to win a single scorecard against Jones.
While Jones - one of the greatest athletes in UFC history - seemed to have fallen off in recent years, he believes that will change when he returns to action as a heavyweight. Jones said he's confident he'll win a second UFC title.
I’ve been imagining it for over two years now, I genuinely believe winning this heavyweight championship is in my destiny. It’s already been written. I just need to keep my nose in the dirt for now and keep working, everything else will take care of itself. https://t.co/9V41HVzpTy
— BONY (@JonnyBones) March 29, 2022
It's unclear when Jones will fight again, but he expressed interest last month in a matchup with former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
"Bones," who vacated the light heavyweight strap in summer 2020, was expected to return in 2021 against heavyweight king Francis Ngannou, but a financial dispute with the UFC kept him sidelined.