Steveson Says He'd Never Fight Friend Jon Jones for Title

Gable Steveson says a potential Jon Jones return to the UFC heavyweight title picture will not turn into a showdown between the two, even though both men now have a path toward the same belt. Steveson, who trains under Jones, made clear he views a matchup with his coach as off the table no matter how the heavyweight division shakes out.

Jones has signaled he wants another run at the 265-pound title after Tom Aspinall vacated it to focus on his health. That timeline could collide with Steveson's own plan to challenge for heavyweight gold, which the unbeaten former Olympic wrestler has pegged for next year. Asked about the overlap, Steveson didn't hedge.

"That's my friend, my coach, my partner," Steveson said. "That wouldn't be a possibility between us."

Why Steveson Won't Fight His Coach

Steveson's stance puts him in familiar territory for the UFC, and not the kind that plays well with management. Dana White has hammered fighters for years over any hint of ducking a friend or teammate, dating back to Merab Dvalishvili's refusal to fight Aljamain Sterling in 2023. White's argument has always been the same: the sport exists to determine who the best fighter is, and personal loyalty isn't supposed to factor into that math. Steveson, at 26 and unbeaten at 4-0, is betting he won't have to test that principle, since he and Jones have already agreed the fight simply won't happen.

Before any of that becomes relevant, Steveson has to get through Sean Sharaf (4-2) at UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The heavyweight picture above him is still unsettled. Ciryl Gane's next move is unclear, and a rematch with Alex Pereira for the undisputed title remains a live possibility later this year. Jones hasn't been booked against anyone, and Steveson's 2027 timeline is his own target, not a scheduled fight.

Betting Angle

There's no line yet on a Jones return or a Steveson title shot, since neither fight is booked. What bettors should watch instead is how Steveson performs against Sharaf. A clean, dominant win at UFC 331 strengthens his case for a fast track up the heavyweight ladder and would likely make him a live underdog story if a ranked opponent gets put in front of him next. If Jones does commit to a comeback, expect him to open as a betting favorite in almost any heavyweight matchup UFC books for him given his resume, but that market doesn't exist until a fight is actually signed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Gable Steveson fight Jon Jones for the UFC heavyweight title?

No. Gable Steveson has said he will never fight Jon Jones, calling him his coach, friend and partner, even if both end up in the heavyweight title picture.

When is Gable Steveson's next UFC fight?

Gable Steveson faces Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Why is the UFC heavyweight title vacant?

Tom Aspinall vacated the UFC heavyweight title to focus on his health, opening the door for fighters like Jon Jones to pursue another run at the belt.