Jon Jones hasn't yet gotten his feet wet in the UFC's heavyweight division, but he's already eyeing the weight class top dogs ... telling TMZ Sports he wants Stipe Miocic after he fights Ciryl Gane next month.
Jones told us he feels a tilt with the former champ could help "solidify my legacy" ... adding that if he wants to be known as one of the fight game's G.O.A.T.s -- he's got to beat the best to do it.
"People consider him the greatest heavyweight of all time," Jones said of Miocic. "The opportunity to compete against such a man, I'd be honored."
"The opportunity to beat such a guy would be truly something special."
Of course, 35-year-old Jones has to get through Gane first in order to get that opportunity -- and he tells us it won't be an easy task.
The 26-1 fighter called Gane "one of the best talents the UFC has ever seen."
"I got a huge, huge order ahead of me," Jones said.
He's Baaaack!!
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) February 13, 2023
Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane at #UFC285 on March 4! pic.twitter.com/eu8OEbmoEE
If Jones does get through Gane at UFC 285 on March 4, though ... Miocic sure seems down to get in the Octagon with him.
The 40-year-old tweeted right after the Gane vs. Jones matchup was initially revealed last month "I got winner in July."
We also talked to Jones about all the work he put in to move up from light heavyweight -- and he said it was a grind ... telling us he had to eat as many as seven meals a day!!