Luke Rockhold Is Gunning For Jon Jones
Luke Rockhold has been stating that he wants to fight the UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, for a while. And now that he’s moved up to 205lbs, the former UFC middleweight champion is one step closer to getting his wish.
Speaking to Submission Radio (as transcribed by MMA Weekly), Rockhold said he thought that Jones was fighting in a ‘dead pool’ and picking easy fights.
“I think Jon is just looking for anything that can get traction. Jon is in a dead pool up there. There’s not a lot of fish in the pond, so I think he’s just struggling. He’s trying to pick off these easy fights. He’s trying to make people relevant, like Anthony Smith. I don’t know. He’s trying to pick off style matchups.”
With ‘not a lot of fish in the pond’, as Rockhold puts it, maybe the Californian is just one win away from challenging Jones. Rockhold faces Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239, in his 205lbs debut. A win there and Rockhold would love to step inside the Octagon with Jones next.
“I’d jump on [a fight with Jones] in a heartbeat. I’ve been training as Jon Jones for [teammate Daniel Cormier] for so many years and I know his style, and like what we have here. So I’m gonna go focus on what I’m doing here this summer and if everything works out, me and Jon will be dancing later this year or 2020.
“Thiago Santos just got a world title fight after beating Jan Blachowicz, so I figure if I go out there and put a performance on him, what’s to deny me? I mean, what else is there? These guys are scouring around, not taking fights. So I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna perform and do my job, and then I’m gonna let the chips fall where they may.”
Although Jones would be a heavy favourite going into a contest with Rockhold, the 34 year old believes he has the game to dethrone the 205lbs king.
“I can strike with him, I’m no slouch in the wrestling game, and top of it, with the size I have now, it’s different. And I’m gonna give a lot more power, I’m gonna bring it on the feet, and I don’t believe there’s a man in this game that can f*** with me on the ground.”
“When you start implementing punches and grappling, there’s no one. I don’t believe there’s anybody who can dance with me in that realm.”
Would you give Rockhold a chance against Jones?
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