Fans are speculating whether UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones might be entering his UFC 309 title bout against Stipe Miocic with an injury. Recent training footage on his Instagram shows Jones working the mitts with his coach, with noticeable tape on his left big toe—a flashback to a notorious injury he sustained during his 2013 fight against Chael Sonnen. In that fight, Jones broke his toe but managed to secure a TKO victory moments before the injury could have cost him the match.
Now, over a decade later, seeing Jones taping up the same toe is stirring up questions about whether this injury could impact his performance. Jones, who claimed the vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023, was set to defend it against Miocic at UFC 295 in New York. However, a torn pectoral muscle delayed his comeback. Now fully recovered and gearing up for the rescheduled bout, some wonder if Jones is pushing himself too hard in training.
This year has been tough on fighters’ toes, with stars like Conor McGregor and Belal Muhammad both sidelined by toe-related injuries. For Jones, the high-stakes bout promises a lucrative payday, and he’s unlikely to withdraw. But fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if his movement shows any signs of trouble—particularly in the early rounds when even a minor injury could make a significant difference.
Jones’ history of overcoming injuries suggests he’ll bring his best to the octagon, but his taped-up toe adds a layer of intrigue to an already exciting matchup.
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