Jon Jones: Injured UFC heavyweight champion has elbow surgery

Jones won the title on his heavyweight debut at UFC 285 in March

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has had elbow surgery while he continues his recovery from a pectoral injury.

The American, 36, tore a pectoral muscle in October, causing his fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 to be cancelled.

Britain’s Tom Aspinall replaced Jones, stepping in on 17 days’ notice to beat Sergei Pavlovich for the interim belt.

In a video on Instagram, Jones said he has used his recovery period to “kill two birds” and also fix his elbow.

“We had a two-hour surgery shaving down some bone spurs. The good news is it’s about a 10-week healing process, and I’m out for months anyway, because of this pec surgery,” said Jones.

“So I thought I’d just kill two birds and get this elbow taken care of once and for all.

“I appreciate all the support. Your boy’s back in the sling, back on this recovery journey. Still on this recovery journey. Sometimes you have to take a small step back in order to move forward, and I’m patient. I will be back.”

Jones’ elbow operation is not expected to affect the eight-month recovery period from his pectoral injury.

Jones is a former light-heavyweight champion. With 27 wins in 29 bouts over a 15-year career, he is widely regarded as the best MMA fighter of all time.

UFC president Dana White has said Jones will face former two-time champion Miocic, 41, when he returns, much to the dismay of Aspinall, who voiced objections to the plan on social media last week.

“Surely if you’re interim champ, your next fight should be to fight for undisputed? Come on,” said Aspinall.

“Stipe is one of my favourites. Loads of respect to him. His resume is far superior to mine right now. That being said, the UFC has never been about this. It’s about who’s the best right now, and I believe that’s me and it’s only right I get to prove it.”