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Greg Hardy believes he can defeat Jon Jones and cement his intended legacy as the ‘greatest combat sports heavyweight.’
UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy is seeing big things in his future. One marquee fight he has in his sights is against current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, whom he holds in high regard.
“That’s like saying you want to play against Troy Aikman and the Cowboys,” said in a recent TMZ Sports interview (transcript by BJPenn.com). “It’s impossible not to dream of Greg Hardy vs. Jon Jones for the heavyweight title after he’s done finishing off the light heavyweight division. Full disclosure, Jon Jones is someone that I emulate as a fighter. I think he’s one of the most complete fighters in the game.
“I think he’s one of the most dangerous men in this world and that’s, honestly, who I’m trying to fight like. It would be an honor and a pleasure to go to war with him if I make it that far.”
Hardy’s grand plan is to become the “greatest combat sports heavyweight”, both in boxing and mixed martial arts. With that in mind, he only sees himself defeating “Bones” to cement this ultimate goal.
“For sure,” Hardy responded when asked if he could defeat Jones. “Like I said, he’s a great dude, a great competitor, but I’m here to clean out the whole division and anyone who wants to join it. I’m here to be the greatest combat sports heavyweight of all-time, and if that includes taking out Jon Jones to do that, then that’s what I’ve got to do.
“And I’ll do it with all due respect like I would Stipe, like I would Daniel,” he continued. “I think a lot of times my comments get misconstrued as disrespectful and it’s not. If I’m sitting here saying I can’t beat somebody, then do I even belong here?”
Hardy will first have to deal with Juan Adams this weekend at UFC on ESPN 4, which takes place in San Antonio, Texas. Headlining the event is a welterweight fight between former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and Leon Edwards.