Stephen A. Smith believes Jon Jones would end Alex Pereira with out having to throw a single punch.
Although ‘Bones’ at the moment sits because the undisputed UFC heavyweight world champion, he appears rather more involved in speaking concerning the goings on at 205. Particularly, the division’s reigning king. Earlier this yr, Jones revealed {that a} potential conflict with ‘Poatan’ is on his radar after suggesting a battle between the 2 could be the largest matchup the UFC might slap collectively.
Discussing the potential for Jones vs. Pereira with Corridor of Famer and former two-division titleholder Daniel Cormier, Smith supplied up a reasonably daring prediction for the fantasy matchup.
“Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is the best ever for my part and I’m gonna let you know one thing proper now… He’ll take Pereira out inside two rounds,” Smith stated on ESPN’s First Take. “And what, he received’t throw a punch. He ain’t tryin’ to sit down up there and field. I’m telling you proper now, [Jones] will take him out. He can’t mess with Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.”
Is a battle with Alex Pereira the one factor that may preserve Jon Jones from retiring after Miocic?
Since capturing the vacant heavyweight title with a fast two-minute submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, ‘Bones’ is but to defend the title. Initially, he was set to sq. off with consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic in November, however a pectoral damage pressured him out of the bout.
Within the meantime, the UFC has topped an interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, who captured the momentary title with a 69-second KO of Sergei Pavlovich at MSG.
Aspinall lengthy lobbied for a heavyweight unification battle with Jon Jones, one thing that ought to be a given, however Jones has routinely dismissed the UK-based star, as a substitute opting to battle Miocic later this yr. Even as soon as he settles enterprise with the two-time champ, there’s no assure that ‘Bones’ would even transfer on to battle Aspinall as Jones has continued to tease retirement following his scrap with the Cleveland native.
“I feel the Stipe battle will likely be lots for me,” Jones instructed Fox Sports activities Australia in April. “I really feel like I don’t have an excessive amount of to show after beating Stipe Miocic. I’ve been within the sport for a very long time. In fighter years, I’m an previous man. I’ve been coaching a very long time and been within the sport a very long time. Received some small accidents.
“I simply actually need to be round. I need to be round for my household, be round for my youngsters. I would like to have the ability to play with my youngsters, have an excellent head on my shoulders. … I might see it coming to an finish actually quickly and I’m pleased with that. I’m actually happy with my profession.”
