Jon Jones has revealed his potential plans after his title defence against Dominick Reyes, and has hinted at a heavyweight showdown as his next fight.
Jones will defend his UFC light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 on February 8.
But ‘Bones’ is already looking past his next challenge in the Octagon as he aims to make the move up to heavyweight in the near future.
‘I’ll Go Straight For The King’
The 32-year-old champion is aiming to become the fifth fighter in UFC history to hold a title in two weight classes, and says he wants current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic as his next fight.
Talking to Ariel Helwani on his ESPN MMA Show, Jones addressed the probability of a heavyweight super-fight with Miocic as his next challenge.
“There’s a really good chance,” Jones said.
“I feel like I could beat him.”
“I don’t think I would need a tuneup, I’m pretty tuned up, I’m pretty in tune.”
“I feel great, I feel strong already.”
Jones says he’s had his eye on Miocic and based on recent performances, he believes he’d be too much for the current champ to handle.
“I feel like I could totally beat him, just based on his performances with ‘DC’, our speed differences, my fight IQ, my versatility, my faith and confidence,”
“I think I’m the guy to beat him, for sure.”
“And I want to strike while I’m feeling hot.”
“I’ll go up and go straight for the king.”
‘He’s Scared’
Another superfight that’s on the cards for Jones is a clash with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
He and ‘Stylebender’ have been going back and forth for some time, with the Nigerian recently claiming he’d move to heavyweight to ‘hunt’ Jones down.
But Jones says Adesanya is in fact avoiding a fight, and isn’t phased by the idea of facing him in the future.
“If he feels he’s not cut out for the challenge now, if he honestly thinks I’m going to be somehow a weaker version of myself next year, he’s sadly mistaken,” he said.
“I’m just now figuring out training camps and figuring out different ways of healing and recovery and all these things.”
“My teammates are getting stronger.”
“I’m only a purple belt in jiu-jitsu.”
“If he thinks I’m getting slower and weaker, he’s sadly mistaken.
“He’s scared today.”
“He’s made that very clear to the public.”
“Nothing’s going to change next year.”
‘Super-charged’
Jones also stated that while he intends to move up to heavyweight in order to conquer a division, he plans on moving back down again once his mission is complete.
“I think I’ll probably go back down to 205”
“Getting down to 205 just makes me feel good about myself.”
“Just to earn that victory and to detox myself.”
“The journey to get down to the weight class and just to feel ultimately prepared, I just love it.”
“I feel at my highest mentally, physically and spiritually,”
“There’s something about getting down to my weight class that just makes me feel super-charged.”
Adensanya vows to make the long journey up to heavyweight.
Bones claims he’ll be on his way back down as champion.
Could we see the pair meet in the middle for a mega-showdown?
(Featured image source: Twitter/ ESPN MMA and Instagram/ Stipe Miocic)