'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4. Jon Jones vs. Derrick Lewis
Another possible opponent for Jon Jones at heavyweight in 2022 is Derrick Lewis. Much like Alexander Volkov, Lewis has been active in 2021. He began the year with an impressive knockout over No.4-ranked Curtis Blaydes, which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
The win over Blaydes earned him a title shot and rematch against UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. However, the plans were changed and Lewis fought Ciryl Gane for the interim title instead. Lewis ended the year on a high note by knocking out Chris Daukaus on the final UFC event of 2021.
‘The Black Beast’ is a knockout artist whose 13 knockouts are the most in UFC history. In his most recent fights against Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes, Jones got caught a few times. If Lewis connects with those same shots, it could be another knockout on his resume.
#3. Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
A possible opponent for Jones at heavyweight in 2022 is former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. A potential Jones vs. Miocic bout would be a significant bout for both of their legacies in the sport.
Jones is regarded as the greatest light heavyweight in UFC history, while Miocic is the most accomplished UFC heavyweight champion in history. Miocic defended the heavyweight championship three times, which hadn’t been done before.
A bout with Miocic would be the more lucrative route for Jones because of their accomplishments in their respective weight classes. Miocic is also a well-rounded fighter and one that doesn’t compete at the 265lbs limit. Miocic has done a great job finding the right weight to compete at, which allows him to have the most success.
The only downside of Miocic’s fighting style is that he’s often been susceptible to leg kicks. This could be an area Jones looks to exploit as he’s had success utilizing oblique kicks to find openings.
