Latest Stipe Miocic-Jon Jones rumor: UFC wants mega fight Dec. 10 in Las Vegas

Aug. 13—Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones seem destined to fight — eventually.

The latest rumor is now early December. Ariel Helwani — host of "The MMA Hour" — reported the UFC is now eyeing a Miocic-Jones fight for Dec. 10 at UFC 282 in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena.

Miicic-Jones rumors have been rampant for months. The first had the two swapping punches in July. That was followed with rumors of a September bout. With time running out in 2022, the latest rumor of December might be the last, if Miocic and Jones are to fight this calendar year. — The UFC want Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at #UFC282 on December 10th.

[per @arielhelwani]

I will emphasise, keyword being 'WANT', absolutely NO negotiations have taken place at this time.#UFC282 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/myO2ZMwITS

— The MMA Media (@The_MMA_Media) August 11, 2022

Miocic — who turns 40 in August — hasn't fought since March 2021, when challenger and current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou scored a second-round knockout to take the championship belt from the Eastlake North graduate. Since then, Ngannou fought once, defended his title, and then had knee surgery. He has yet to fight since.

No UFC heavyweight is more accomplished than Miocic (20-4). He owns the record for most consecutive title defenses (three) in heavyweight history, and the most total (four). Meanwhile, Jones (26-1) has been inactive for some time. His last bout was in February 2020, and he's never fought at heavyweight.

In June, Miocic's coach, Marcus Marinelli, told The News-Herald this about a possible fight with Jones: "We talk, but more casually. I don't push that type of stuff (about Jones). He did say, "(The UFC) may want (the fight).' Stipe's talked about it, but he's formed his group that makes those decisions."

Monday pose pic.twitter.com/ypf79fQG5H

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) August 1, 2022

Meawhile, Marinelli confirmed Miocic has been training in Independence at Marinelli's gym Strong Style, where he's likely beginning preparations for the start of his camp — if Dec. 10 vs. Jones in Las Vegas is close to becoming official.

Attempts to contact Miocic about the report were unsuccessful.

Focus is the future. pic.twitter.com/r3ljiBYEaZ

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) July 27, 2022

In late June, UFC president Dana White said Jones was ready and looking for an opponent.

"It's either going to be Francis — depending on how long his knee is going to take to recover — or Stipe Miocic," said White.

Ngannou had knee surgery in March and recently said he's rehabbing the knee. Ngannou said he is hoping fight again before the end of 2022. His last fight was in January, when he defeated interim champ Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.

"If everything goes well, I will be ready by the end of the year because it is going to be nine months," Ngannou recently said to TMZ. "(I want to be back in) late December or early next year."

If the report of a Miocic-Jones fight is accurate, it appears Ngannou won't be healthy enough to fight again in 2022. Or Ngannou could chose to wait for the result of Miocic-Jones, continue to heal and take on the winner at some point in 2023.

There are also rumors of White making Jones-Miocic a fight for the interim heavyweight title.

With Jones, there is the long layoff factor. It's been nearly three years since he last fought in the octagon. Plus — if Jones and Miocic do fight in December — that would mark a little less than two years away from the cage for Miocic.

"It's very interesting because I'm a huge believer in ring rust," said White about Jones' long absence from the UFC. "But for all the negative things you could say about Jon Jones and his personal life and things like that have happened, he's the best. He's definitely the best of all time."

Which is exactly why White and the UFC must be excited about the prospect of a Miocic-Jones super fight.