UFC 337 Madison Square Garden heavyweight title trends

Tom Aspinall vacated the heavyweight title after suffering ongoing complications with his eye during training. This vacancy allows Ciryl Gane to hold the interim championship status. Jon Jones, aged 39, has not fought since his third round stoppage of Stipe Miocic in November 2024 at UFC 309. His training partner, Gable Steveson, claims the open title has reignited interest in a return for the former champion. Jones re-entered the UFC drug-testing pool in July. The heavyweight landscape remains thin. While the heavyweight division waits for clarity, Gable Steveson notes that the vacant title has ignited a fresh fire in Jon Jones, who has not competed in the octagon since his victory over Stipe Miocic in November 2024. Jones conducts his training in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Steveson, the Olympic wrestling champion, worked in the corner of Jones on July 11. Jones has not fought in 22 months. His move from light heavyweight to heavyweight transformed the division, and many fans previously expected a title defense sooner, but injury concerns interrupted planned matchups.

The matchmaking process for a potential Jones return faces complications because he missed the June 14 card. Jones has not fought in 22 months. He previously won the heavyweight title by submitting Ciryl Gane via guillotine in just over two minutes at UFC 285 on March 4, 2023. The promotion must decide if a unification bout with the interim champion makes sense. Matchmaking remains difficult as Jones has previously expressed frustration regarding his contract negotiations. Fans and analysts discuss the heavyweight timeline across various forums. Some argue Jones should immediately face the interim champion, while others believe a legacy fight against Stipe Miocic makes more sense historically.

Madison Square Garden matchmaking

Madison Square Garden awaits a headliner for the November 14 event. The promotion has not signed a main event for the upcoming tripleheader. You should expect announcements as the date approaches. Alex Pereira wants a rematch against Gane after his second-round TKO loss in June. The promotion could place Jones against Gane to unify the belt. This matchup would follow their previous encounter at UFC 285 on March 4, 2023, where Jones won with a guillotine submission in 2:04. The matchmaking remains messy. Dana White previously stated he does not want to do business with Francis Ngannou, although the Cameroonian remains a free agent. A matchup between Jones and Ngannou would be a massive pay-per-view opportunity, but Ngannou is not currently under contract with the promotion. Matchmaking often depends on whether Jones faces the interim champion or a legacy fight against Stipe Miocic makes more sense. Can the UFC fill the Madison Square Garden card with a high-profile heavyweight fight?

Contender rankings and statistics

Contenders occupy the remaining spots in the division. Alexander Volkov sits at number two and is 37 years old. Sergei Pavlovich holds the number three spot. Josh Hokit maintains an undefeated 10-0 record at number four. He stopped Curtis Blaydes in April with a unanimous decision and Derrick Lewis in June via TKO. The top of the heavyweight rankings fits on one hand. Hokit possesses a wrestling background and a double tough nature. He has only four fights in the UFC.