Speaking with AXS TV’s Inside MMA, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he’d like to see Chris Weidman grow his resume before entertaining the idea of a superfight with him.
“A lot of people are starting to mention Chris Weidman’s name and I think in order for it to be a superfight Chris Weidman needs to get his name a little bit bigger and prove himself against some other world champions. With that being said, I think Cain Velasquez is the only guy that would actually be considered a superfight.”
But speaking with fans during a UFC 169 Q&A session just over a week ago, Jones seemed much more enthused about the prospect of fighting Weidman, especially if it were set in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
“I think it would be phenomenal,” said Jones. “It would be awesome.”
“I’ve got no reason to make comments about Weidman. Everything you say up here, it gets back to the fighter, so I don’t want to offend him. I think he’s a great guy, but I’m very confident. I’m a very confident young man. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Following up, a fan wanted a confirmation that Jones would, indeed, be open to the idea of fighting Weidman.
“Absolutely,” replied Jones. “That’s my job.”
Unlike former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who never really seemed too interested in fighting the larger Jones, Weidman has said he would jump at the chance. Prior to his second win over Silva at UFC 168 in December, Weidman told ESPN he’d be more than happy to face Jones, even on short notice.
I’ve got Anderson Silva on my mind, but if the fans wanted to see that fight [against Jones] and the UFC wanted it to happen, I’m 1000 percent in. I asked to fight Jon Jones on 10 days’ notice back when Dan Henderson got hurt. But I wasn’t a big enough name at that point, so they were like, no.
Jones mentioned back in November that he was typically walking around at close to 230lbs, just ten pounds off the mark of where he’d like to fight Velasquez. Standing 6’4, Jones enjoys a reach advantage at 84.5 inches compared to Velasquez at 77 inches standing 6’1. Saying he believes the fight would ‘be huge for the sport,’ Jones said he planned on fighting Velasquez sometime within the next year before making a an eventual move to heavyweight.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Sit-down interview. Luke Thomas chats with Michael Chandler about brain injuries, Eddie Alvarez, Bellator’s tournaments and Jose Aldo vs. Anthony Pettis.
The Dreamcatcher. Gegard Mousasi says he needs a smart fight with no mistakes to beat Lyoto Machida. “He’s dangerous if you lose your control and you get too aggressive or leap into your punches — that’s when he’s most dangerous, so you have to fight smart.”
Fightweets. Dave Doyle weighs in on your Twitter questions, including what happens if Ronda Rousey bails on MMA for Hollywood.
No rematch? Cub Swanson wants Jose Aldo to move up to lightweight for the challenge.
Manawaroa apologizes. TUF Nations semifinalist Tyler Manawaroa has apologized after a past racially offensive Instagram post came to light this weekend.
MEDIA STEW
Alexander Gustafsson reflects on the loss to Jon Jones.
New Tommy Toe Hold.
Anthony Pettis talks fight with Jose Aldo.
Highlights from Lion Fight 13.
The pros pick Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi.
Florida local news makes all the ‘cage’ puns.
Long watches.
The MMA Beat on Aldo vs. Pettis, Barao vs. Faber, Overeem, ‘Rumble’ Johnson, Punk vs. Ranger, more
TWEETS
Get well soon.
Surgery was a #success. Thank you @danawhite @ufc for everything you’ve done for me! !
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) February 7, 2014
24hrs out from surgery got nearly 90 degrees bend back & full lock straight very happy http://t.co/7ktpWbxn8Z
— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) February 8, 2014
Staredown.
Here we go ! May 24th another great Brazilian opponent to share the cage with! http://t.co/psJPzQZu7s
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) February 8, 2014
Congrats.
From a weekend full of awards.. This is my reward.. #BartonAndBrowneBoys #TheLegoMovie #3D #FatherSonTime http://t.co/2wlZIXRxDg
— Travis Browne (@travisbrowneMMA) February 9, 2014
Thank you so much for honoring me with this award. I want to give all the glory to God, because the… http://t.co/YbG6uAptBL
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) February 9, 2014
Mma awards are a joke
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 12, 2013
Congrats to @MarinaShafir for another first round win tonight!! #firstroundarmbarallday!!!!5-0 I’m so proud of you!!! pic.twitter.com/U8dATIhxXh
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 10, 2014
“@daduke1515: @NotoriousNewell Congrats Bro On The Black Belt. pic.twitter.com/224ycAr8jS” Thanks my man
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) February 6, 2014
Back at it.
.@SpiderAnderson is already back to the gym after his injury at UFC 168 (Photo via @Silva_MTC) http://t.co/0Uyjcamet3 pic.twitter.com/yfaeOTlb7Z
— UFC (@ufc) February 8, 2014
I’d say so.
Progress……. http://t.co/3m9iHPW8ZK
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 9, 2014
Big fan of Strikeback.
On set. I’m a nice guy really! #strikeback http://t.co/Zz1W0sEKF9
— michael (@bisping) February 10, 2014
We missed a good one.
In case you missed it, here’s my video of my experience at the MMA awards 😀 http://t.co/ms0tTMJtLp
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) February 9, 2014
I’d rather see this one.
I’ll fight @CMPunk in @BellatorMMA @BjornRebney. No better fight
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) February 9, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Feb. 7-9 2014)
Thiago Silva out, Nikita Krylov vs. Ovince St. Preux at UFC 171
Shayna Baszler vs. Sarah Kaufman at TUF Nations Finale
Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller at UFC 172
Noad Lahat vs. Godofredo Pepey at UFC Fight Night 38
Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Ernest Chavez at UFC 170
Zak Cummings vs. Alberto Mina at TUF China Finale
Albert Cheng vs. Anying Wang at TUF China Finale
Mark Eddiva vs. Jumabieke Tuerxun at TUF China Finale
Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson at WSOF 9
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Michael Shulski.
Quick Poll: is T. Silva Finished?
Most of the mma world knows by now that Thiago Silva was arrested on some serious felonies. It’s hard to imagine that he will not do any jail time. I remember hearing that T. Silva grew up poor and was mostly a “self-made man”. Same thing with Palhares. Both grew up poor and became big money makers. Both fighters have broken rules the UFC laid out. Silva with urine and Palhares with leg locks. There are countless stories of poor boxers in the USA who would go on to commit felonies and/or squander their wealth. Mike Tyson stands as the prototype in my mind. Thus, it can be concluded that Silva’s behavior isn’t all that uncommon. Vote below and consider the “for” and “against” factors.
For-
1) Silva is talented and has never broken any rules inside of a fight.
2) Silva is a known commodity in international mma markets because of his 12 octagon appearances.
3) One of the victims of his recent crime spree, Pablo Popovitch, believes that Silva was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and thus may never have become so violent if sober.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
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