Mixed martial arts fans might get to see Jon Jones fighting as a heavyweight in 2020.
Arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all-time, Jones has defended his UFC light heavyweight title twice since reclaiming it on his return in December 2018.
Jones survived a scare from Thiago Santos in his mot recent UFC fight, settling for a split decision win in Las Vegas last June.
Looking for a fresh challenge, the 32-year old champion has teased a potential move to 265 pounds as he feels like there are no more worthy contenders at light heavyweight.
“Where did all the big names in the light heavyweight division go?”
“Sometimes I think about sitting out and just training for the next two years, then coming back and challenge in the light heavyweight who’s been the most dominant.. wouldn’t that be wild,” he wrote.
Jones has also claimed that a fight against knockout artist, Francis Ngannou, is inevitable.
New Challenges
In the UFC 247 news conference last Friday, the MMA great said there is a ‘very strong possilibity’ he will move up to heavyweight class after his next title-defence.
Jones is set for his third title-retention bid against Dominick Reyes, which will go down at the Toyota Center in Houston on February 8 2020.
“I think it’s a very strong possibility — absolutely,” he claimed, per ESPN.
“Absolutely. There’s always gonna be someone next [at light heavyweight]. I feel as if I’ve cleared the division and I’m waiting around and I’m taking on new challenges.”
“I’m not sitting on the title; I’m not hiding from anybody.”
“I chose Dominick because he appears to be the best out of all of my contenders. And I’m just ready to take over the world, man. Really.”
Feeling Really Good
The light heavyweight champion said the idea of moving to higher weight class came up after the Santos fight and he wouldn’t be surprised if it happens next year.
“After the Thiago Santos fight, I was at a place where I wanted to start entertaining the heavyweight division,” Jones continued.
“I’ve been wrestling my brother [former NFL offensive lineman Arthur Jones] my whole life.”
“I’ve been [training] with Andrei Arlovski and [Alistair] Overeem and all these big guys my whole career, and I’ve always done well.”
“At 240, I move just as fast as I do at light heavyweight. My versatility I realize is not things most heavyweights would do — spinning things, flying knees.”
“Things like that. I feel really good. I think the timing is gonna be really close. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened [in 2020].”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier)