Islam Makhachev was quick to declare himself the new No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport after beating Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC 284 main event.
Anthony Smith, UFC analyst and fighter, said that Jones’s place at the top of those rankings could be in danger. That’s because former pound-for-pound king Jon Jones is finally slated to make his long-awaited return to action when he headlines UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane on March 3.
“I think Islam needs to hold on to that No. 1 pound-for-pound spot really tightly right now, because I think there’s going to be a lot of different conversations if Jon Jones comes back and is even a small portion of what he was when we last seen him,” Smith said during the UFC 284 post-fight show. This is Jon Jones’ long-awaited move to heavyweight. He’s been talking about it forever.”
In an ideal world, Jones would fight Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight title, but that can’t happen after “The Predator” opted to leave the UFC following the conclusion of his most recent contract. He will instead face Gane. His only defeat in his professional career was to Ngannou in the early 2022; Gane bounced back from that loss with a win over Tai Tuivasa.
Smith, who was defeated by Jones at UFC 235,, believes that Jones’ next fight might not be as easy because Gane is in the same matchup.
” Smith stated that he is facing the toughest challenge in his division. Jon Jones seems to be swinging for fences immediately. Jon Jones has a much easier fight in heavyweight. There’s bigger names that are easier with bigger paychecks ,and I think he has his toughest fight on his hands right now.”
Jones has often been praised for having arguably one of the best fight IQs in all of combat sports. With a technique that can win at any position, he meticulously dismantles opponents.
Smith is aware that Gane can be very slippery on his feet and has a great one-punch knockout power at Heavyweight. He’s interested to see how Jones adjusts. Then again, Smith knows from personal experience what it’s like to go with Jones for five rounds, and he’s learned not to doubt the fighter he considers the best to ever do it.
“I think that Ciryl Gane does a lot of the same things that Jon Jones does on the feet and to be very fair with you, I think Ciryl Gane does a lot of those things better than Jon Jones,” Smith said. “As far as his movement on his feet, his stance switches, I think that he’s probably more powerful. Technically, I think Ciryl Gane’s probably a better striker.
” But we all know what Jon Jones looks like. He’s the greatest of all time in my opinion. I can’t wait for this fight, it’s going to be incredible.”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/12/23596315/anthony-smith-islam-makhachev-better-hold-on-no-1-pound-for-pound-spot-tightly-jon-jones-is-coming?rand=96749
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