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Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen has backed Jon Jones' move to heavyweight and revealed that he'd bet on 'Bones' in just about any scenario.
According to the latest reports, the UFC is working on booking Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou at UFC 285 for the heavyweight title. 'The Predator' is expected to be fully fit by March, with Jones having been preparing for this move since 2020. Curtis Blaydes has also confirmed that he's a backup fighter for the heavyweight bout.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, 'The American Gangster' discussed Jones' move to heavyweight. Sonnen praised the 35-year-old for his elite fight IQ and made a bold statement that he'd bet on him even in a boxing contest with heavyweight champion Tyson Fury:
"I would bet on Jon Jones in anything. I might lose my money, but I would bet on him in anything... I don't say this with exaggeration, but this is true. If Jon was entering Abu Dhabi tomorrow and Gordon Ryan was in the bracket, I'd bet on Jones. If he was going to go to heavyweight boxing and face Tyson Fury, I'm going to bet on Jones."
Chael Sonnen is speaking from experience, having shared the octagon with 'Bones' at UFC 159. Jones defeated Sonnen via TKO in the first round in 2013, defending the 205-pound title for the fifth time.
Catch the full video here:
Josh Thomson believes Curtis Blaydes is a tougher matchup for Jon Jones than Francis Ngannou
Former UFC fighter Josh Thomson has weighed in on Jon Jones' move to heavyweight and claimed that he'd have a tougher time if he fought Curtis Blaydes.
On the latest episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, Thomson stated that Blaydes has a wider variety of tools in his arsenal, including high-level wrestling. 'The Punk' explained that 'Razor' is a more difficult fighter than Ngannou:
"Curtis Blaydes to me is the tougher fight. Not the more dangerous fight, the tougher fight. Does that make sense? Curtis Blaydes has more tools and more weapons [than Ngannou] and will give Jon more of a fit in the wrestling area. Maybe not a lot but he'll make him work."
Thomson continued to elaborate on Blaydes' wide arsenal by saying:
"I'm seriously just trying to say that Curtis Blaydes can wrestle him, stand with him a little bit but doesn't want to get carried away on the feet. Jon Jones may not have the conditioning that we all think in the heavyweight division. He may slow down and he's getting older, he's been off for three years."
Watch the episode here:
