Jon Jones: I am not really thinking about Lyoto Machida
Posted on August 12, 2012, 03:13 PM by Mike Searson
Jon Jones spoke with Ariel Helwani on the UFC 150 Postfight Show on FUEL TV about his upcoming fight at UFC 151 to defend his title against Dan Henderson. Jones knows it will not be an easy match: “He’s right up there. He ranks as high as anyone I’ve fought in the last year. He’s been a champion of other organizations. He’s beat the best like Fedor and Shogun. He doesn’t offer problems, but challenges to rise up to and it’ll be exciting. He’s got strong wrestling and a good overhand right, but nothing I haven’t seen before.”
The winner of Jones vs. Henderson is slated to take on Lyoto Machida, but the champ says that Machida is not on his radar at the moment, he is focused on who is before him, Dan Henderson: “I’m not really thinking about Lyoto Machida at all. He’s a great fighter, but he’s a puzzle I’ve figured out once and can do it again. Dan Hendo is what I’m focused on right now. He’s an older fighter who’s coming into his own and just keeps getting better. Looking past an opponent is like looking at second base when a fast ball is coming at you. You can’t do it. Dan’s right hand is like the fast ball. Dan Henderson is my main priority right now. I’ve got a lot of years left fighting, and I’ve thought about going up to Heavyweight maybe in the next two or three years - so maybe in 2013 or 2014.”
When asked if he has too many distractions with being the Light Heavyweight UFC Champion, Jones relates that he takes it as it comes: “I don’t feel like there’ve been too many distractions. I’ve had more high pressure fights over the last three years, and I’ve been dealing with it pretty well. I’m dealing more with the risk of being embarrassed. I’m closing in on Tito Ortiz’ record as being the best light heavyweight fighter ever and I want to be the best and it motivates me to keep getting better. The biggest thing I’ve done is to learn how to put people down. I am becoming a good kick boxer, but I’m not dropping anyone. So I’m trying to get better knockout power.”
Jones is very proud of his recent sponsorship by Nike and feels it is a great honor: “It’s a huge opportunity for me. It’s great for UFC. I’m honored to be the guy to get them in the house. They’re making cool clothing and it’s great for the sport. If I was a young fighter, I’d look forward to getting Nike stuff in the future.”
Comments
Can he do math? 3 years from now is 2015.
Jack Daniels and the lawyer that advertises on late night TV that he can get any one off drunk driving charges is not willing to sponsor?
Mr. Math mathematician, Jon is actually correct. He said WITHIN the next 2-3 years not AFTER the next 2-3. Don't forget to count the rest of this year too. It's not like we are already in 2013. Within 2 years of Jan 31, 2013 would be all the til Dec 31, 2014. But I guess it is easier to jump on a joke based on numbers than pay attention to actual Math.
This is why I cringe every time somebody has to look at the register before giving me change and still can't get it right. You are funny, but he is correct.
uhhhh. are you for real? I won't get into debating time, seen as how physicists don't REALLY understand it, however, I will make fun of your math a little.
So what you're saying is, in 2-3 years (in this case 3 years) it will be August of 2014?
With your logic, it would infact go until December 2015, not 2014... cause if you're going to 'give' a few months either way, you're wrong.
And it was Anderson that got Nike in the house....
Akiyama had it before Anderson. Neither were pushed by it anywhere close to what Jones is going get.
Anderson is with Nike Brazil and Akiyama with Nike Japan--
but Jon Jones got a Nike Global sponsorship.
Didn't know about Akiyama either. I wonder why he got such a big sponsor.
Did not know about Akiyama....remember Dana talking not so long ago about who would be the the first one to sign with nike...just before Anderson got it.
Man that kid is tough! if crashing a car into a post with two bitches in da back isn't a distraction, I don't know what is..LOL
People just love to hate on Jones.
Not sure why, hes one of the most entertaining guys in the ring and just the type of reason I watch ufc.
Seems to happen if the person is a douche persay
What the hell?? "The reason I watch mma " $100 saying this is u Jones u made a lowkick account and posted something that dumb
Taken a bit out of context, he just says he's focused on Dan Henderson right now.
Its understandable why people hate on him as a person. He brought that upon himself. But can you really hate his fighting style? He shouldn't be focused on Machida and he seems to respect Hendo for the tools that dan possesses. The kids the future whether you love or hate him.
He's a perfect example of why i personally hate interviews and these 24/7 type shows that go into the fighters lives. I love watching jon jones fight, i've yet to be bored by him, but at the same time every time i hear him speak or when I read about the dumb things he's done (which is only 1, but still) it makes him annoying to me. I just want to enjoy these guys in the octagon, i don't care what they do in their personal lives.
People hated Jones before he crashed into a pole and more will still hate him. He will also keep knocking people out and winning fights and at the end of the day he will be rich, famous and successful and all of us will be typing on our keyboards still hating him or (liking him) and paying for the PPV's. I love the UFC.
Hahaha, yes, we're not worthy.... LOL. You really think Jones isn't gonna get KTFO? BAD? How do you think it works, son?
Please please PLEASE Hendo Knock this fool out and shut him up for a while!