Jon Jones explains reasons behind vacating UFC light heavyweight title

UFC star Jon Jones has explained why he has decided to vacate his light-heavyweight title.

Jones, 33, confirmed earlier this month that he was relinquishing his belt following talks with UFC president Dana White.

Now Jones, nicknamed ‘Bones’, has taken to social media to further explain to his following his reasons for giving up the 205lbs crown.

He said on Twitter: ‘I vacated the light-heavyweight championship because I knew my heavyweight goals were going to take some time.

‘I wasn’t going to play games with the contenders and make people fight interim championship belts. There’s little rest on the throne.’

The 33-year-old has since been linked with a fight against heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic following his decision, with the latter targeting a fresh challenge after defeating Daniel Cormier in their third episode earlier this month.

Jones, who has a record of 26 wins in 28 fights, has held the title since reclaiming it for a second time after overcoming Alexander Gustafsson via a technical knockout in December 2018. 

And his last defence of the belt came against Dominick Reyes in February – where he clinched a controversial split-decision victory.

As a result of giving up his belt, Reyes will now battle it out with Jan Blachowicz in September to determine Jones’ successor as champion.