THE UFC main event for the heavyweight championship has been rocked after Jon Jones suffered a nasty injury.
The spectacular event at the iconic Madison Square Garden venue in New York was due to be headlined by Jon Jones' showdown with Stipe Miocic.
What injury does Jon Jones have?
Jones tore a pectoral tendon off the bone while in training on Monday night (October 23, 2023).
UFC president Dana White confirmed the news on social media.
“Here we are again,” White said.
“Jon Jones was training last, night got injured. He was wrestling and tore the tendon that connects your pec to the bone, off the bone.
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“Eight months, going to need surgery. He’s out.”
Jones also released a statement on Facebook following the injury.
"I'd like to apologize to all the fans who were excited for UFC 178. Earlier this week, I suffered an injury while training for the fight," he wrote.
"I'm having surgery tomorrow and I'm focused on recovering as quickly as possible.
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"I look forward to getting back in the gym and defending my title on Jan. 3 in Las Vegas."
The injury continues a trend of inactivity for Jones, who has had only one fight since his win over Dominick Reyes.
Jones also had over three years out ahead of his heavyweight debut and championship over Cirly Gane in March 2023.
When will Jon Jones fight Stipe Miocic?
Jones is one of UFC's biggest names and boasts an excellent 27-1-0 record.
He was looking to make the first defence of his heavyweight title against Miocic – the consensus best heavyweight.
The two were meant to go head-to-head in the main event of UFC 295 on November 11, 2023.
But due to Jones' injury, the card has had to be revamped.
Jones had considered his fight with Miocic as potentially the last of his decorated career.
He believed that victory over the heavyweight would solidify his already impressive legacy.
It remains to be seen if Jones will return back to the ring after extensive surgery and rehabilitation.
However, sources have said they hope to still rebook Jones vs. Miocic for a big card in 2024.
Will Tom Aspinall replace Jon Jones?
Replacing the two UFC legends are Britain’s Tom Aspinall and Russia’s Sergei Pavlovich.
The MSG card will see them go face to face for the interim heavyweight title as a co-main event.
Pavlovich the number two ranked heavyweight, 18-1 with 15 knockouts.
His last seven wins all ended in the very first round.
He most recently claimed wins over Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes.
Pavlovich hopes to become the fourth Russian champion in UFC history.
Meanwhile, Tom is the number four ranked heavyweight, 13-3 with 10 knockouts and three subs.
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Nearly all but one of his wins have come in the first round.
Jiri Prochazka v Alex Pereira for the vacant light heavyweight title is the new main event at UFC 295.
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