Jon Jones wants to fight at Heavyweight in 2012, UFC says no
Posted on February 1, 2012, 01:55 PM by Joey Santosus
"I actually asked Dana and Lorenzo, could I take a fight (at Heavyweight) for the fans at the end of 2012. I figured beating Henderson and Rashad, there would be a period where we'd figure out who I'm going to fight next, and during that period, at the end of 2012, I asked to fight a Heavyweight - a Top 10 Heavyweight. Dana and Lorenzo didn't think that was the best for me to do right now. They wanted me to continue at the Light Heavyweight division. ... They said they didn't want that for me." - For more from Jon Jones' appearance on "The MMA Hour," visit MMAFighting.com
After an impressive 2011, Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones had big plans for 2012 - at least, that was until the UFC brass stunted his growth.
According to Jones, once he's knocked-off of top contenders Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson, he'd like to spread his gigantic wingspan and soar through the Heavyweight division. However, after pitching the idea to the bosses, "Bones" says that he was denied flight by UFC President Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.
At 6-foot-4, with a UFC record 84.5 inch reach, many, including Jones himself, expect a future at Heavyweight to be a part of the 24-year-old's natural progression as a fighter. And while an eventual jump in weight classes may be inevitable for the champ, it appears White and Fertitta aren't in any hurry to see that happen. But, what do you think LowKick'ers? Is Jonny Bones ready for the Heavyweight elite, or does the UFC know what's best?
Further Reading: Bones vs. Suga: Who will become the best Light Heavyweight in MMA history?
Photo: Francis Specker
Comments
Its going to take a good while to get up to an effective weight for HW. Zuffa doesnt want to see the money train stop right now and for that long.
Zuffa is prob right for doing so. They have a pretty good idea when someone is ready.
I agree, he's got a lot of fights left at LHW still - Henderson, Rashad plus who knows who else could emerge in a year. But that being said if Jones just demolishes both those guys maybe he fights someone like Mir or Kongo or Big Nog. All those would be decent matchups for him at HW.
no one want to see the money train stop. money train must be running at all time.
Meh. Dana likes to hold guys back some of the time. Silva could have had a few fights at LHW by now if dana didnt want him to move there permanently.
Jones is the man
How ****y is this kid!!!!!
He is confident. I hope that I too can obtain such levels of confidence.
Attention Bones Haters, stop letting your ovaries control your emotions so you can recognize a true champ, not some asshole whose walking around with a fake belt.
Sonnen's belt is real! He stole it from Silva! LMAO.....
@ Hatocracy, nobody has a significant problem with Bones. Like all fighters he has his pros and cons. The problem is with your comments. They don't get weaked because we don't like Bones or Silva, they get weaked because they're a waste of our time.
Say something about Bones and how he will do at HW. Give us some of your MMA wisdom. C'mon, you can do it.
Lol at no one hating on Jones above you in these comments.
talk about being confident!
evans will be pissed off with this comment by jones lol
i can only see a few fights left for jones at LHW any way cos he has destroyed alot of the top competition. maybe 3-4 more defences after evans then move up!
Think shogun should get a rematch.
I'de like t see the Shogun rematch also. A fighter with serious leg kicks will be part of the puzzle solver for Jones. And to keep moving constantly.
In his last fight with Jones, he wasnt 100 percent and we all know he isnt the same fighter when injured....ei. Forrest
Fair play to Jones
We all know what happens to people who think too far ahead, especially fighters. I defended Jones to the hilt when all the haters were all over his every comment, but I have to agree that his "confidence level" is getting a little out of proportion these days. I don't know if there is some kind of alloy in the belt that affects the mind, or what.
I have no doubt that Jones can easily clean out the LHW division, and most of the HW probably as well, but please Mr. Jones, a little "humble" would be nice once in awhile. Just a little.
I think Jones could be good at HW, but he would have to bulk up a bit to avoid being overpowered by the giants that make up the HW elite these days.
the way he's saying it, wanting to take on hendo before stepping up at the end of the year, it would be atleast june-july before he could change his diet/lifting, how much could he pack on in 4~ months, there is his walking weight to consider, if he came in 'fat' he could probably be 235-240, but i don't wanna see him with a fedor-belly..
Man,Bones is just sayin like it is amigos.He's the juggernaut,the crackin,and the incredable Hulk all rolled in one duby
You mean Kraken
Jones would get destroyed by the current crop of heavyweights and the UFC knows it....I say let Jones find out on his own.
They want him to be the poster boy for the 205ers
And ye, buddy above me is right, he will get mangled by alot of the top heavyweights.
I think Jones popped the question just because he knew Dana was going to say no.
If Dana would have said YES lets fight in HW!! jones would have said he was joking...
The UFC now has a very interesting HW division with the acquistion of the Strikeforce fighters.
This is more of a business decision by the UFC rather than a commentary on Jones' skill or weight. The downside of Jones' success is that the LHW division is going to struggle fo find viable contenders if Rashad or Hendo can't do the job.
Jones will move up to HW, but the UFC is in no hurry.
I think Dana and Lorenzo are finally realizing that champs moving to other weight classes is not necessarily good in the long term for either the division they leave or the division they move to.
c-o-c-k-y ass sob! beat everyone that you are supposed to beat 1st at 205,man you are so freaking ****y,hopefully Rashad destroys you!!!
i don't see rashad beating Jone. 5'11 vs 6.4 whoa
Jones takes it easy for now not for JDS and Overeem yet
its my destiny!!!
jon needs to cross that bridge if/when he gets there. did he not see henderson's last fight?
You mean the one where he struggled and ultimately failed to put away a guy that Jones dismantled and finished? Yeah, I'm sure he did.
i think a hw fight would be good for him at the end of the year someone like kongo or mir and then go back down to lhw for 1 more title defence and then go back to hw fulltime late 2013 if he can avoid injury.
I sure as hell hope Jones is not looking pass Evan and Henderson. The best way to get your butt handed to you is to underestimate your opponent.