WASHINGTON – Thiago Santos is chomping at the bit.

Currently sidelined from double knee surgery he underwent after falling short against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Santos (21-7 MMA, 13-6 UFC) is on the road to recovery and targeting a return in mid 2020.

“My knee, it’s getting better,” Santos told MMA Junkie. “My recovery is going so good. I started training, and continuing my recovery at the (UFC Performance Institute) in Las Vegas, and I hope I will be back soon. Maybe June or before.”

Santos narrowly was edged by Jones in July at UFC 239, losing via split decision. Having competed seven times in the past two years, sitting out has been difficult.

“Yeah, it’s hard because I always fight in short time, very active, so never stopped for six months, and this time I probably stop for one year,” Santos said. “It’s hard, but, like I said, I am enjoying my time doing my recovery, and I am trying to have a little vacation, enjoying other things so now my mind is good.”

While he’d love an immediate rematch with Jones, Santos understands that the 205-pound picture will have changed by the time he returns. Jones is scheduled to face Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February, and a No. 1 contender fight between Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz will headline the UFC Rio Rancho show one week later.

Santos hopes he can at least come back and fight in a No. 1 contender spot, setting him up for another shot at the title.

“We will see what the UFC has for me,” Santos said. “If the UFC puts me in line for a title shot, for me it’s OK because I will fight again 100%. So, for me, it doesn’t matter, but if I need to do one fight before, it’s OK, too. I’m hungry for fight again, so I will be so happy to fight again, so it doesn’t matter if I’m in line for a title shot or one fight before.”