Afterward, Jones revealed that he does not plan to retire and called to speak with UFC executives Dana White and Hunter Campbell. "If everything goes right," Jones said, "maybe we'll give you guys what you want to see," seemingly referring to a potential unification bout with interim champ Tom Aspinall.

Jones and Miocic were due to meet at Madison Square Garden last November, but a torn pectoral muscle forced “Bones” out of the fight – delaying his first title defence by 12 months. Now the former light-heavyweight champion, 37, and heavyweight great Miocic, 42, will meet at MSG at long last, though their fight has proven controversial.