UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones’ representatives confirmed this week that he will not have surgery on his injured hand (which is currently in a cast), but his postponed-bout with former teammate Rashad Evans has not been reinstated.
As of press time, Evans is still scheduled to face Phil Davis in the replacement match this August. Though an intriguing bout and one that will truly put rising star Davis to the test, many fans were disappointed with this substitute fight given the explosive promos that had already begun erupting between Jones and Evans.
Jones’ agent Malki Kawa noted that the fighter will likely be prohibited from training until June, at which point he will begin preparing for his next fight, which will hopefully come in the fourth quarter of 2011.
That would make a year-end date for Jones vs. the winner of Evans-Davis a likely scenario, although F4WOnline.com’s editor Dave Meltzer cryptically noted, “The thing is, Jones may be ready significantly faster so it wouldn’t shock me to see some changes either, but right now that seems to be the plan.”
It was unclear whether that means a different opponent is being eyed for Jones or if UFC is still considering going back to the original Jones vs. Evans fight if the champion is ready to return earlier than expected.