Ripped Jon Jones Blasts Pads With Kicks Ahead Of UFC 197

The fight we all knew was coming has finally been announced, as the UFC recently confirmed that reigning light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier would rematch former divisional kingpin Jon Jones at April 23’s UFC 197 from Las Vegas.

The two faced off for the first time at January 2015’s UFC 182 in one of the most hyped up, bad blood fueled bouts in sport history. In the end, however, it was Jones who walked away with a convincing one-sided decision victory and the light heavyweight strap.

Then scheduled to defend his long held title against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at May 2015’s UFC 187, Jones was suspended and stripped of his title after being arrested on felony charges.

“DC” would step in and submit Johnson to become the undisputed 205-pound boss, while “Bones” watched from the sidelines.

However, the former title holder was reinstated into the UFC after avoiding jail time, and will now look to reclaim the title he never technically lost.

In his time away from competition, it appears as if Jones has gained a new found focus and motivation, seeming hungrier than ever to get back on top. Physically, he has gained a passion for strength training and power lifting, which has left fans with endless videos of a scary looking, jacked Jones.

Aside from his fitness, the ex-ruler has focused on his martial arts skills as well, and he posted a video to his official Facebook page today of him smashing pads and throwing kicks with his striking coach Mike Winklejohn. Check it out below:

“Bones” definitely appears to be in the right mindset ahead of the highly anticipated fight, and he’ll have to be given Cormier’s pedigree.

Can Jones get the job done again and earn back his title?