Jones has cooled on the idea of fighting his next challenger, should he defeat Miocic. British fighter Tom Aspinall has held down the division as interim heavyweight champion — a title necessitated by Jones’ lengthy absence — and has been chirping for months about a unification bout.

Two of the greatest fighters in UFC history make their Octagon returns after long layoffs when Jon Jones defends the heavyweight championship against two-time former champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309.