Jon Jones injury news derails UFC 295 main event

Mar 4, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC fighter Jon Jones holds his championship belt during a press conference prior to weigh-ins for UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Jones versus Stipe Miocic is no longer the UFC 295 main event at Madison Square Garden next month.

The original UFC 295 headline bout between two of the best heavyweights in mixed martial arts will not push through after Jones (27-1-0) suffered an injury while training on Monday night. UFC CEO Dana White made the announcement late Tuesday on X.

“Jon Jones was training last night. Got injured. He was wrestling and he tore the tendon that connects your pec to the bone, off the bone. [Jones is out] 8 months. Going to need surgery. He’s out,” said White.

BREAKING NEWS…………… Sergei Pavlovich vs Tom Aspinall for the Interim Heavyweight Championship. Main Event is Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira. #UFC295 is LIVE at MSG on ESPN+ PPV pic.twitter.com/SaPAwpyHi2

— danawhite (@danawhite) October 25, 2023

Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1) against Alex Pereira (8-2-0) for the vacant light heavyweight title is being elevated to the main event. A newly-formed matchup between Sergei Pavlovich (18-1-0) and Tom Aspinall (13-3-0) for the interim heavyweight title will be the co-main event.

Pavlovich was slated as the backup fighter for the main event of UFC 295. It was not made clear why Miocic (20-4-0) will no longer be a part of the fight opposite Pavlovich.

Jones returned to the octagon in March after a 3-year hiatus. He defeated Ciryl Gane via first-round submission to claim the UFC heavyweight title.