UFC welterweight vet names Jon Jones' biggest threat in the heavyweight division
Jon Jones is considered by many to be the GOAT of MMA. Earlier this month at UFC 285, the New York native furthered his case for such tall praise when he captured the heavyweight title, submitting No.1-ranked contender Ciryl Gane in the very first round.
Despite Jones' remarkable performance, UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad doesn't believe 'Bones' will be invincible at heavyweight. The 34-year-old expressed that a well-rounded fighter like Curtis Blaydes, who he feels has equally good wrestling as well as striking, will present problems for Jones.
As per 'Remember the Name', Blaydes only struggles against fighters with "big power," which Muhammad believes Jones doesn't possess. Answering a question on his MMA subreddit, Belal stated:
"I think Curtis Blaydes is a threat, he has great wrestling and striking, he only struggles with guys that have big power. I don’t think Jon has big power."
If 'Razor's' past fights are any proof, Belal Muhammad's take might not be too far off. All three of the 32-year-old's losses have come via stoppages against fighters with big knockout power.
Two of his defeats were to former champion Francis Ngannou, who is widely considered to be among the hardest hitters in all of combat sports.
The first time the duo fought in 2016, Curtis Blaydes lost via a doctor's stoppage after the second round. In their second meeting in 2018, he was knocked out by 'The Predator' in the very first round.
His third professional loss came via a second-round knockout against Derrick Lewis, who in his prime was one of the finest knockout artists in the promotion.
Watch Curtis Blaydes' losses below:
Blaydes is currently the No.4-ranked heavyweight in the UFC. He is on a three-fight win streak and might very well get a crack at Jon Jones' title down the line.
Jon Jones believes he only has a few more fights left in him
Jon Jones doesn't plan to stick around in the UFC for long. Speaking to the media at UFC 285, the heavyweight champion stated that he doesn't plan to be a fighter for much longer.
'Bones' feels that he has been fortunate not to incur any debilitating injuries and plans to keep it that way since he wants to spend more quality time with his children:
"My mind is set, it's just to fight a few times. I've been blessed to have not received too many concussions. I want to save my intelligence and my brain for my kids, for raising my kids... So I believe I only have a few more fights left in me, and then I'll go on to being just Jonathan Jones and no more with Jon 'Bones'."
Catch Jon Jones' comments below: