Things could come full circle for UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones when he takes on Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event on November 16.
The consensus greatest mixed martial artist of all time finally returns to action on November 16 when he takes on Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event at Madison Square Garden.
Fortunately for Jon Jones, a new UFC ruleset came into effect at the start of November which changes the rules on the 12-6 elbow, which is now deemed as a legal strike both on the feet and on the ground.
Jon Jones hopes to score a finish at UFC 309 with the 12-6 elbow
The lone loss of ‘Bones’ MMA career came back in 2013 when he was disqualified for landing an illegal elbow at the time against Matt Hamill.
Since then, UFC CEO Dana White has worked tirelessly to try and get the result overturned to a no-contest to preserve Jones’ undefeated record. However, with the rule now being changed, there is a possibility that Jones could finally see his record changed.
Despite that, ahead of his comeback fight, the heavyweight champion has admitted that he is looking to make history by becoming the first fighter in UFC history to score a legal win by using the 12-6 elbows.
“It just makes me wish that disqualification was overturned, that’s the biggest feeling that I have once I learned that rule is no more, on the other hand, I accept the move more than ever, now,” Jones told Kevin Iole in an interview.
“I’ve been training extensively on different 12-6 elbow attacks. It’s funny because it’s been such a big no-no move, so you train yourself not to go there, and now to be able to use that strike, I mean it’s a very damaging strike, it just opens up so many more options both on the feet and (on the ground).
“I’m excited to hopefully be the first UFC athlete to legally display it at Madison Square Garden,” Jones added.
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Jon Jones reacts to getting his own pair of custom UFC fight shorts
Over this year, we have seen the UFC’s big stars given the opportunity to design and wear their own custom shorts in the big main event fights.
UFC 300 this past April was the first instance in which we saw the custom designs, and it has continued since with the likes of Sean O’Malley, Alex Pereira, and Israel Adesanya all donning their own designs.
Ahead of what could be his final fight inside the Octagon, Jones will wear his very own custom shorts and has described the thought that went into the design.
“I put a lot of thought into it and I just thought about things I represent. I love the male Lion, it’s always been kind of my spirit animal if I could say that. I love Jesus with all my heart I’ve never been ashamed to say that and represent that.
“And I love the color red. I read a long time ago that red is the winning color. Teams that wear red, they win way more than other teams and so that’s just always been my color and it’s the corner I represent, I’ve been in the red corner the majority of my career,” Jones told New York Post Sports.