Rumors circulated last month that Jon Jones would be moving up to heavyweight to take on former champion Stipe Miocic, but those hopes were crushed after it was announced on twitter yesterday that ‘Bones’ would be defending his light heavyweight title against Thiago Santos at UFC 239.

The LHW title is on the line in Vegas!@JonnyBones defends against surging @TMarretaMMA in the main event at #UFC239 Jul. 6! pic.twitter.com/TuevrzM4DL — UFC (@ufc) April 4, 2019

Speaking to Submission Radio in a recent interview, Jones’ striking coach Mike Winkeljohn said he had no idea the UFC was interested in booking ‘Bones’ vs. Miocic.

“I thought we were fighting Santos the whole time. I have no idea if the UFC was involved in it or that was just Jon pulling his leg,” coach Wink said.

Winkeljohn believes it’s a very intriguing match-up but says the UFC would ‘have to throw a lot of money’ at Jones to lure him into the Octagon.

“I would be intrigued by that fight because it’s one of those styles that Stipe is very good at what he does,” Winkeljohn said. “I mean, the man can wrestle, the man can punch. So he can do so many talented things. So you have to watch out. So it’s kind of a challenge for us as coaches and as a team. So that would be exciting. I think Jon would be excited about, always about the challenge. Jon’s always up for the challenge, he always gets excited about it. He’s always watching fight tape. I think the UFC would have to throw a lot of money at him. They want to make money too, so I can’t blame Jon for wanting to make some money as well.”

It’s more likely that, should Jones successfully defend his light heavyweight title against Santos at UFC 239, the 31-year-old will go on to face the winner of the proposed heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar.

UFC 239: Jones vs. Santos place later this year, July 6 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.