Anthony Smith feels he’s ready to take on Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title.
Anthony Smith has been itching for a title shot since his submission win over Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 138.
Daniel Cormier was the UFC light heavyweight champion back then, but Jon Jones reclaimed the throne this weekend when he finished Alexander Gustafsson with a barrage of ground-and-pound in the third round of the UFC 232 main event.
Smith and Jones got into a bit of an exchange on Saturday’s FS1 post-fight show, and ‘The Lionheart’ followed up by calling out ‘Bones’ on Twitter.
Smith, who is now on a three-fight win streak, believes he is on a ‘collision course’ with Jones.
.@JonnyBones we are on a collision course. Let’s dance. #Lionheart
— Anthony Smith (@lionheartsmith) December 30, 2018
Jones didn’t appreciate Smith using his position on the FOX Sports analyst desk to call him out, but the current champ is more than willing to settle things inside the Octagon.
Did @JonnyBones and @lionheartsmith just set up a date for July?… pic.twitter.com/RwnkoSKhKC
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 30, 2018
“I believe that this is my era,” Jones said, per MMA Junkie. “I believe that I’m only getting better and I will defeat who I have to defeat. I got you in July if that’s what it’s going to be.”
The more lucrative bout, of course, is a rematch against Daniel Cormier at heavyweight, but Jones doesn’t want to move up in weight. If that is the case, and Cormier doesn’t wish to return to 205 lbs., Jones may very well go on to defend his light heavyweight title against Smith.