Jon Jones Predicts UFC Glory For Gable Steveson<\/p>\n
After logging less than half a round of total fight time across his three outings late last year, Steveson is now set to for his third MMA bout<\/a> against 14-fight veteran Huge Lezame at Mexican Fight League 3 on February 19. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC heavyweight fighter addresses fans after being handed 30-month suspension<\/a><\/p>\n The Olympian\u2019s friendship with fellow Jackson Wink MMA fighter Jones<\/a> has been already been on full display during Steveson\u2019s young MMA career, and \u201cBones\u201d recently shared a video<\/a> of himself holding pads for \u201cthe new heavyweight champion of the world\u201d as he prepares to face Lezame in February. <\/p>\n \u201cGreat weekend with [Gable Steveson]. He\u2019s leveling up extraordinarily fast. Teaching is a martial art of its own, and I\u2019m still learning it. Won\u2019t be long now until we\u2019re standing there with the new heavyweight champion of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Will “Bones” Come Out Of Retirement In 2026?<\/p>\n It would be no surprise to see the UFC sign Steveson outright or book him for Dana White\u2019s Contender Series if he\u2019s able to pick up a few more wins this year, and it will be interesting to see if Jones follows through on his plans for a return to the UFC before then. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC’s Paddy Pimblett reveals when he will KO Justin Gaethje in UFC 324 main event<\/a><\/p>\n Considered by many to be the greatest fighter in the history of the UFC and MMA as a whole, Jones carved out his combat sports legacy with a largely-dominant run in the UFC\u2019s light heavyweight division before he made a long-teased move up to heavyweight in 2023. After winning the division\u2019s vacant belt with a first-round submission at UFC 285, Jones defended his title once against Stipe Miocic and announced his retirement last summer. <\/p>\n Jon Jones (red gloves) fights Stipe Miocoic (blue gloves) in the heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. | Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take long for the currently-retired UFC legend to express interest in a fight at the UFC\u2019s planned White House event <\/a>in June, and fans are patiently waiting to see if a Jones return might finally provide a long-desired title bout with Tom Aspinall or a potential superfight with the likes of Alex Pereira. <\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC’s Paramount+ partnership prominently featured during NFL playoffs before UFC 324<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik predicts massive UFC White House headliners<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA fighter returns from two-year layoff to flatten opponent with must-see KO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC loses another huge fight as UFC 325 fighter reveals devastating injury<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Jon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kfdsw38zr5xhrbqvm0.jpg\" "\\"Jon")
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