A new twist in UFC 295: Jones out, Pavlovich in

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic was supposed to be the main event of UFC 295, but a training injury has derailed that plan.

UFC CEO Dana White broke the news on Twitter late Tuesday night. He said that Jones tore his pectoral tendon while wrestling and will need surgery. He will be out for eight months.

“Jon Jones was training last night, got injured, he was wrestling and he tore the tendon that connects your pec to to the bone, off the bone,” White tweeted. “[Out] eight months, going to need surgery. He’s out.” As a result, Sergei Pavlovich — who was already the backup fighter for the main event — will step up and face Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight title.

The fight will be the co-main event, while Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira for the vacant light heavyweight belt will take the top spot.

White did not explain why Miocic was not part of the new interim title fight. The former champion from Ohio had expressed his interest in fighting Jones in what could be his last fight. It is unclear if he declined the offer or waited for Jones to recover.

Pavlovich will try to win his first UFC title after a six-fight winning streak, all by first-round knockouts. He recently beat Curtis Blaydes and Tai Tuivasa in dominant performances.