Jones vacates UFC light heavyweight belt

Jon Jones has relinquished the UFC light heavyweight title.

"Just got off the phone with UFC, today I confirm that I'm vacating the light heavyweight championship," Jones tweeted Monday. "It's officially up for grabs. It's been an amazing journey, sincere thank you to all my competition, UFC, and, most importantly, you fans."

The promotion later confirmed that Jones has vacated the belt.

Jones added that he's interested in returning to the Octagon in the heavyweight division. "Bones" initially said there were no immediate plans in place and that he would sit out until the UFC was willing to negotiate his salary.

However, Jones sounded more hopeful in a later tweet, stating that he talked to the UFC brass again and the conversation was "really positive."

"(It) sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at heavyweight," Jones wrote. "All good news, the weight-gaining process begins."

Jones' announcement comes on the same day as a report that former title challenger Dominick Reyes is targeted to fight fellow top contender Jan Blachowicz at UFC 253 on Sept. 26. It wasn't immediately clear whether a championship would be on the line in that bout.

"Bones" last competed in February, edging out Reyes at UFC 247 to retain the 205-pound title. He was involved in a public spat with UFC president Dana White over a financial dispute related to a potential heavyweight clash against Francis Ngannou. Jones said in June he had "no interest" in fighting again until the promotion pays him what he believes he's worth.

Jones teased a potential move up in weight this past weekend after heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic successfully defended his belt against Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 in Las Vegas.

Jones, the UFC's pound-for-pound king, captured the light heavyweight title for the second time in December 2018 and has defended it three times. The 33-year-old is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.