JON JONES' eagerly-anticipated return to UFC is progressing well – with a March date in the pipeline for his heavyweight debut
The former pound-for-pound king hasn't graced the octagon in close to THREE YEARS due to a spat with the UFC brass and the pandemic.
But SunSport revealed earlier this year that negotiations between both parties and resumed and a lucrative new deal had been hashed out.
Jones was seemingly set to be welcomed back to the cage by former heavyweight king Stipe Miocic in December but the fight didn't come to fruition.
The UFC has since pivoted to a clash with current champion Francis Ngannou, which is currently in the works for UFC 285 on March 4.
And negotiations for the mouthwatering dust-up are said to be progressing well, according to MMA insider Ariel Helwani.
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During the latest episode of The MMA Hour, he said: "I'm hearing that talks are actually pretty good."
Major knee surgery has kept Ngannou, 35, sidelined for the majority of the year.
But The Predator recently confirmed he is indeed planning to fight Jones in the spring.
He told Combate: “Well, this is the plan [to fight Jones in March 2023], but when you make a plan, you have to go step-by-step.
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“Let’s settle the contract first. It is still pending [the renewal of contract with the UFC]. We’re still working on it.
"We’re not finished yet. I’ve always wanted to stay in the UFC.
"I just want things the right way. I just want a better [contract] structure to have a better future.
"I’m excited. I’m excited to get back to the Octagon, but in good condition, with a good structure.
"It would be a good money fight. But there are many money fights. They can have many money fights."
Jones has used his time on the sidelines to bulk up in preparation for his long-overdue move up to heavyweight.
He last ventured to the cage in the main event of UFC 247 for what proved to be his final defence of the light-heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes.
The former long-reigning light-heavyweight champion retained the belt strap with a controversial unanimous decision victory.
And Jones is champing at the bit to erase the memory of that performance and become a two-division champion.
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He tweeted: "My goal, my dream is to have my first heavyweight title fight look like my first light heavyweight title fight.
"Pure domination."
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