Jon Jones crowns Anderson Silva his all‑time favorite and Ilia Topuria his current pick
Jon Jones has highlighted Anderson Silva and Ilia Topuria as the two fighters who most capture his attention, tying his own legacy to both a past icon and an active champion in a way that reflects where he is in his career.
Jon Jones on the fighters who excite him most: Anderson Silva and Ilia Topuria
Speaking with Helen Yee at the Celebrity Sweat flag football event during Super Bowl week at Cal Berkeley, Jones was asked who his favorite fighter to watch is. He immediately pointed to longtime influence Anderson Silva, then shifted to current UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. In the interview, Jones said:
“My favorite fighter to watch, it’s always been Anderson Silva. He’s unbelievable. Right now, I would say Ilia. He really gets me excited. He’s just dynamite.” The moment came late in the interview, after he had discussed his football appearance and coaching heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson.
Jones has long been linked with Silva in GOAT debates, and naming him here keeps that connection alive. Silva’s run as UFC middleweight champion included a record title-defense streak, highlight-reel finishes, and a style built around timing and counter-striking, which influenced a generation that included Jones. By calling Silva his favorite to watch and “unbelievable,” Jones reinforces the idea that his own creative striking and risk-taking were shaped by watching Silva at his peak.
Topuria is an active champion and one of the fighters Jones has praised most over the past year as the Georgian-Spanish star has moved up through the UFC ranks. Topuria has been noted for remaining undefeated while scoring knockouts over high-profile names in his rise, which has elevated him into pound-for-pound discussions. Jones has previously spoken about the challenge of staying champion and framed Topuria’s next few years as the true test of whether he can hold the belt over time. Calling Topuria “just dynamite” and saying he “really gets me excited” ties into how Jones views explosive finishers who can change a fight in one sequence.
Bones’ Jones reacted to talk of Topuria facing Justin Gaethje at a proposed UFC White House event, responding “How crazy would that be? Sorry Gaethje,” showing clear support for Topuria in that matchup. Gaethje himself has spoken about wanting to face Topuria in that setting, describing a walk from the Oval Office into the cage as his preferred scenario for the event. Jones’ backing of Topuria, combined with his praise for Silva and his own hints that he “could be done” with fighting in 2026, positions him more as an elder statesman weighing in on the next wave than an active rival watching potential opponents.
