Focused on UFC Light Heavyweight Record, Jon Jones Could be Out Six Weeks… or Six Months

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has long said that he would one day move up to heavyweight, but first he wants to claim sole possession of the record for most 205-pound title defenses.

He is currently tied at five defenses with UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz.

Jones injured his toe in his last title defense, a first-round drubbing of Chael Sonnen at UFC 159 on April 27 in New Jersey.

Limping over to do his post-fight interview with UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan, Jones’ toe was jutting out at an unnatural angle, bleeding, the bone trying to sneak a peak through his skin. It caused more than a few stomachs to churn when the cameras focused on his injured foot.

The injury, which most believed was a fracture, was actually a severe dislocation.

That sounds as if it’s a better scenario, but it may not be. UFC president Dana White on Thursday noted that Jones could be out of action for as little as six weeks, but it could also turn the other direction and be six months.

“He feels great. The toe is healing good. But the problem was that ligament,” White explained. “That ligament popped. The thing could be six weeks; it could be six months.”

Jones is due for another MRI on his foot next week. He’s currently in Russia, but is due back over the weekend.

White said he believed that the MRI was scheduled for Monday, and that it will tell the tale of where Jones is at in the recovery process.

His manager, Malki Kawa, is optimistic when it comes to Jones’ recovery.

“One thing about Jon is he’s not going to take any chances whatsoever.  As long as his foot heals properly and he’s got no issues with it, it shouldn’t delay anything,” he said on a recent edition of MMA’s Great Debate Radio.

“I’ll just tell you this, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jon fights two more times this year.  That’s very aggressive and I know that’s crazy, but it’s something that he discussed with me and we talked about it.

“I told Superman to relax a little bit, you’re injured right now, but he’s got an aggressive timeline in his head, certain goals and accomplishments that he wants, and we’re looking to get that record.”