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Chris Weidman sees holes in Jon Jones’ game just ready to be exploited.
Chris Weidman says he has the secret sauce to dethrone Jon Jones.
The former UFC middleweight champion will make his light-heavyweight debut at UFC Boston opposite Dominick Reyes. Should Weidman and Jones ever face at 205-pounds, it would give Weidman the unique opportunity to end the legendary title reigns of two all-time greats: Jones and Anderson Silva.
“Being the guy that shocks the world, not once but twice, against what people think are the greatest of all time, and against someone that most people think can’t even be beaten,” Weidman told Submission Radio. “That’s where Anderson Silva was when I fought him and this is where Jon Jones is right now, and so that motivates the hell out of me. That’s the legacy I want.”
“I don’t think he’s looked that good, I don’t think he’s looked as dangerous. He’s not finishing, and I see there’s a lot of… he’s great, but I see there’s definitely holes in there,” Weidman continued. “I always believed there’s a blueprint to beat him. You see it a little bit more, but I always knew he’s beatable, and I think if it was a guy like me with power in the hands and also the wrestling that’s better and Jiu Jitsu. So, I think that’s really I take it to him. But no one’s been able to do that yet. He’s done a great job, he adjusts really well in there. So, that’s the goal, is to get in there with him.”
Before any real talk of fighting Jones for the 205 strap can materialize, however, Weidman must first fend off rising contender Reyes.
“I’m expecting a war with him regardless, because I know he’s hungry and he believes in himself,” the former champion said. “But I think once I’m in the positions that I know I can get to, it’s gonna be some rude awakening.”
Weidman and Reyes will square off in the main event of UFC Boston on Oct. 18. The event also features a re-booked grudge match between UFC Mexico City headliners Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens.