Last Saturday at UFC 197, Jones made his long awaited Octagon comeback after 15 months on the sidelines.
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Current UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier wasted no time on Fox Sports 1 to express what we were thinking.
Jones defeated Ovince Saint Preux in the main event of UFC 197 by a five-round unanimous decision at MGM Grand to win the interim title.
Jones was unable to claim the knockout victory though, and questions have immediately been raised over whether he remains the all-conquering fighter that he was before his UFC absence. “Ovince Saint Preux smartly took advantage of this and initiated him filling in and getting this opportunity”. Jones also admitted that he was off his game, and that it may have been a “blessing in disguise” that he fought Saint Preux.
Jones has been open about his drug usage, and troubles, after he was reinstated to fight, he was scheduled to have a rematch against Cormier for UFC 187, but Cormier got injured in camp forcing him to pull out of the fight.
Here are three reasons why Jones’ return on Saturday is important and why he wins. Speaking in front of the media after his open workouts last Wednesday, Jones says he believes this is a momentary setback for “The Notorious”.
Knowing he was four rounds to the good, Jones kept his distance in the final round, knowing he just needed to see the fight out and he did just that. With about two minutes remaining in the round, Jones again went for the takedown, landing a double leg and bringing Saint Preux to the canvas. “I want my actual belt back”. While he wasn’t dominant, Jones was able to open up on Saint Preux and score. “I can only prepare myself as best I can to try and prepare to beat him”. He did a great job and Jon, he didn’t hold back.
“Absolutely, I would totally step in to UFC 200 and fill that main event or co-main event slot”, Jones told reporters.
“My next fight’s going to be a hell of a lot better”. He will next face Daniel Cormier to unify the title.
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Considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, Jon “Bones” Jones is a flawless 12-0 over his last 12 fights.
