CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
Stipe Miocic hasn't fought in a UFC fight since losing the Heavyweight Championship to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021.
But it appears a return to the octagon could be in sight for the Euclid native.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Jon "Bones" Jones said that he's planning to fight Miocic in Las Vegas on Dec. 10. Jones, however, noted that Miocic appears to still be negotiating with UFC regarding the fight, which would likely main event the UFC 282 pay-per-view at the T-Mobile Arena.
"I’m preparing to fight Stipe December 10 in Las Vegas," Jones tweeted. "Not really sure what’s going on between Stipe and the UFC but I’m ready to compete! I’m going to control what I can and stay in shape."
A heavyweight fight between Miocic and Jones has been rumored since 2019 and has received renewed interest in light of the uncertainty surrounding Ngannou, who hasn't defended the UFC Heavyweight Championship since successfully defeating Ciryl Gane via unanimous decision at UFC 270 this past January. In theory, a heavyweight fight between Miocic and Jones -- who hasn't fought since UFC 247 on Feb. 8, 2020 -- could be for an interim title with Ngannou' continuing to recover from knee surgery.
As for Miocic, the 40-year-old has previously expressed dissatisfaction with UFC and at one point even hinted at potentially joining another MMA promotion. Earlier this year, the two-time heavyweight champion -- who lays claim to a career 20-4 record and the UFC record for most heavyweight title defenses -- was sworn in as a Westlake firefighter after previously working at the Oakwood and Valley View Fire Departments.