Chael Sonnen names UFC heavyweight who is stylistically the "biggest problem" for Jon Jones
Chael Sonnen has named the fighter who he thinks would pose the biggest threat to Jon Jones in the heavyweight division.
According to 'The American Gangster', Curtis Blaydes might prove to be a tough challenge for the former two-time light heavyweight champion if the two ever share the UFC octagon.
During a recent YouTube video, Sonnen said:
"Curtis Blaydes is the biggest problem stylistically for Jon Jones. But I don't know [if] that's a good thing. I don't know that that's helpful, that if you had a choice between Jon as your champion or Curtis as your champion, I'm not sure that that's a helpful thing."
Check out the full video below:
UFC president Dana White recently announced that Francis Ngannou has been stripped of his heavyweight title and released from the promotion. White added that a fight between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will now take place at UFC 285 to determine the new heavyweight king.
Curtis Blaydes took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the matchup, noting his interest in fighting Sergei Pavlovich next:
"Obviously I’ve seen the news, Gane is getting another title shot vs Jones. Most likely I’ll be getting the Pavolich,that’s cool with me. Like I’ve been saying I just want my next opponent ranked above me so a win actually elevates my ranking."
Obviously I’ve seen the news, Gane is getting another title shot vs Jones. Most likely I’ll be getting the Pavolich,that’s cool with me. Like I’ve been saying I just want my next opponent ranked above me so a win actually elevates my ranking #UFC
Jon Jones has not competed in nearly three years
It has been nearly three years since Jon Jones last competed in the UFC octagon. His last outing was against Dominick Reyes in February 2020. The 35-year-old successfully defended his light heavyweight title, defeating Reyes via unanimous decision.
Jones later vacated the championship and announced his planned move to heavyweight.
Since then, 'Bones' has been training and gaining muscle for his heavyweight debut. Now, his divisional debut finally looks set, with an official date announced by the UFC.
If Jones manages to beat Gane at UFC 285 in March, he will join an elite club of fighters who've won gold in two divisions. So far, that group includes Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, B.J. Penn, Randy Couture and Amanda Nunes.