Jon Jones warned that Stipe Miocic was a "different beast" after undergoing a secret body transformation in advance of the UFC return

JON JONES will be facing a "different beast", Stipe Miocic, if he takes on the former heavyweight champion during his octagon returns.

After more than two years off, the former reigning light-heavyweight king appears set to make a return to UFC in late 2012.

Jones, who has undergone a dramatic body transformation to bulk up as a heavyweight, is now ready to face former champ Miocic.

However, Miocic has been secretly preparing for the possible bout by putting on the beef.

Chris Weidman, ex-UFC middleweight champion, told The Schmo that Jon Jones was working hard to get bigger and Stipe smaller.

"I trained with Stipe and he's one my boys. I was just hanging out last night with him.

"Bro, he grew up and has been quietly doing it. He is a solid 250 right at the moment.

"Solid 250 and whenever he decides that he wants to come back, it's a problem."

Jones, 34, loves the idea of facing the most skilled heavyweight in UFC history.

Weidman is certain that the Miocic he will encounter will be very different from the Francis Ngannou dethronee last March.

He stated that he didn't believe Jon Jones wanted to fight. He is wrong to think he will be fighting a 225-pound Stipe.

He's a strong, confident boy who believes in himself.

"He's a completely different beast, I'm telling him."

Since his controversial defense of the 205lb belt against Dominick Reyes, Jones hasn’t been seen in the octagon.

Bones' absence was partly due to a dispute over a contract with the UFC brass.

SunSport, however, revealed that negotiations between the parties had been resumed in January.

Richard Schaefer, the former champion's advisor, stated that he was ready, willing and able fight anyone we can get for his heavyweight title.

UFC President Dana White also echoed the statement of former Golden Boy Promotions chief.

White said to Jim Rome, "Jon Jones has been released. We just need to find an opponent.

"It will be Francis [Ngannou] or Stipe Mocic depending on how long it takes for his knee to heal."