Jon Jones waiting on UFC reinstatement as 18 month probation starts

The UFC’s light heavyweight division is about to get a lot more interesting with the return of Jon “Bones” Jones possibly on the horizon. The former champion was stripped of his title after allegedly causing a three-vehicle hit and run and fleeing the scene of the crime. UFC announced the suspension of one of their most dominant champions at the time so he could settle his legal troubles without the distraction of the octagon.

Now, Jones recently found out he would not be serving jail time but rather eighteen months of probation. According to New York based legal expert Amy Dardashtian, the next step on Jones’ return to action lays within UFC offices.

“It’s really up to the UFC, and their attorneys are reviewing it now about whether to even bring him back,” Dardashtian said while on Inside MMA. “I think they will though, because Dana White was at the hearings supporting him. So they could bring him back tomorrow or they could wait until he completes his probation.”

A Jon Jones return could create quite the log jam in the light heavyweight division. Daniel Cormier stepped in for Jon Jones in his fight against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at UFC 187 and won the newly vacated championship. Cormier was expected to face Ryan Bader for his first defense, but Dana White shocked the world when he announced Alexander Gustafsson would receive the next title shot.

Gustafsson failed to defeat Cormier at UFC 192, the same event where Bader defeated former champion Rashad Evans in dominant fashion. Logically, the next match to make would be Bader challenging Cormier for his championship but the return of Jon Jones could delay that fight even longer.

Who do you think Jones should fight when he comes back to the octagon? Make your prediction in the comment section below!