Jon Jones: I am not really thinking about Lyoto Machida
Jon Jones spoke with Ariel Helwani on the UFC 150 Postfight Show on FUEL TV about his upcoming fight at UFC 151 to defend his title against Dan Henderson. Jones knows it will not be an easy match: “He’s right up there. He ranks as high as anyone I’ve fought in the last year. He’s been a champion of other organizations. He’s beat the best like Fedor and Shogun. He doesn’t offer problems, but challenges to rise up to and it’ll be exciting. He’s got strong wrestling and a good overhand right, but nothing I haven’t seen before.”
The winner of Jones vs. Henderson is slated to take on Lyoto Machida, but the champ says that Machida is not on his radar at the moment, he is focused on who is before him, Dan Henderson: “I’m not really thinking about Lyoto Machida at all. He’s a great fighter, but he’s a puzzle I’ve figured out once and can do it again. Dan Hendo is what I’m focused on right now. He’s an older fighter who’s coming into his own and just keeps getting better. Looking past an opponent is like looking at second base when a fast ball is coming at you. You can’t do it. Dan’s right hand is like the fast ball. Dan Henderson is my main priority right now. I’ve got a lot of years left fighting, and I’ve thought about going up to Heavyweight maybe in the next two or three years – so maybe in 2013 or 2014.”
When asked if he has too many distractions with being the Light Heavyweight UFC Champion, Jones relates that he takes it as it comes: “I don’t feel like there’ve been too many distractions. I’ve had more high pressure fights over the last three years, and I’ve been dealing with it pretty well. I’m dealing more with the risk of being embarrassed. I’m closing in on Tito Ortiz’ record as being the best light heavyweight fighter ever and I want to be the best and it motivates me to keep getting better. The biggest thing I’ve done is to learn how to put people down. I am becoming a good kick boxer, but I’m not dropping anyone. So I’m trying to get better knockout power.”
Jones is very proud of his recent sponsorship by Nike and feels it is a great honor: “It’s a huge opportunity for me. It’s great for UFC. I’m honored to be the guy to get them in the house. They’re making cool clothing and it’s great for the sport. If I was a young fighter, I’d look forward to getting Nike stuff in the future.”
