Jon Jones, who has defended the UFC light heavyweight title more than anyone in the company's history, made it official with a tweet on Monday.
Jones followed the announcement that he was vacating the light heavyweight title by throwing his name into the heavyweight ranks, where he seems confident that his next fight will be.
In perhaps preparing to become a heavyweight, Jones additionally tweeted Tuesday:
Tuning into Stipe Miocic's victory over Daniel Cormier on Saturday night, Jones even tweeted a scouting report for defeating the UFC heavyweight champion, saying "Avoid Stipe's right hand, I'm too fast, I'll be too strong when the time is right and have way too much energy." He even added: "Soon, and very soon, I'll be considered the baddest man on the planet."
UFC president Dana White heard Jones' message loud and clear, but made sure "Bones" realizes that Francis Ngannou is the No. 1 contender for Miocic's belt.
“Francis is definitely next,” White said during the UFC 252 post-fight press conference. “I mean, you can’t jump over Francis. Francis has been out there destroying everybody, and if you look at how long ago it was that he got that title shot (against Miocic), he’s worked his way back. It belongs to Francis Ngannou. But yeah, Jon Jones going to heavyweight is very interesting.”
If Jones (26-1-1 no contest) has indeed made his last stand at light heavyweight, he leaves behind an impressive run, which includes the most light heavyweight title bouts in UFC history at 14 and the most light heavyweight title defenses in the company's history at 11.
The only one able to stop the 33-year-old Jones has been himself, via legal troubles stemming from a bevy of poor decisions.
In May, Jones expressed interest in fighting Ngannou, but complained that the UFC wasn't giving him the apt money to make the leap and take on the heavyweight monster, who has produced four straight first-round KOs.