Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones has apparently decided to not rush back to the Octagon, eyeing a return to mixed martial arts (MMA) competition this fall against Swedish sensation Alexander Gustafsson.
Jones and Gustafsson have crossed paths several times in recent weeks, sending messages to each other on Twitter and coming face-to-face in Russia for a staredown.
While the 205-pound match up has yet to be formally announced, Gustafsson told MMA Fighting last week that he expects a title shot to be offered "soon."
That offer has yet to come through, but according to a report by Ariel Helwani on Tuesday's (June 11, 2013) edition of FUEL TV's "UFC Tonight," Jones' injured toe is healing at a steady pace and he would like to put his belt on the line for a record-breaking sixth time against "The Mauler."
Jones teased a few weeks back that he had a major decision on the horizon, and it appears that decision was whether or not to take a fight or allow his toe more time to recover. This latest report, if accurate, would suggest he went with the latter, targeting return date went from summer to closer to the end of the year.
Accordingly, a potential date or location for the 205-pound title match up -- if it even comes to fruition -- has not been announced at this time.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing championship contest.