Rampage Jackson thinks there is some uncertainty with Jon Jones at heavyweight.
Longtime UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is making a move to heavyweight. The announcement of this intention came two years ago and during that time Jones has been making the necessary preparations for his transition. There has been some criticism lately about how Jones will fare at a higher weight class. One man who has some opinions is a man who once faced Jones at 205 pounds, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
Rampage Jackson thinks Jones is the best but could have trouble at heavyweight
Jackson spoke with TMZ Sports about his assessment of Jones at heavyweight. Although he feels Jones has the skills to do well, he worries that the men at heavyweight might pack too much of a punch for the smaller Jones.
“Jon Jones is the best person I ever fought. I don’t think I could give him advice. He’s a better fighter than me. Jones is a smart fighter and it was really hard for me to hit him,” Jackson said. “He wouldn’t let me hit. Granted, Jones is a dirty fighter. When you get close to him he will poke you in the eye or kick your knee backwards. He’s a long fighter but heavyweight is a different monster.”
Jackson and Jones fought each other back in 2011 at UFC 135. At the time, Jones was the champion and he was able to submit Jackson in the fourth round. Jackson later made the jump to heavyweight and spoke about the differences in power between the two divisions. He feels that Jones would fair better taking on a smaller heavyweight in his first foray instead of a bigger, harder puncher like Francis Ngannou.
“I would say his first heavyweight fight, he should do a warm-up,” he said. “He shouldn’t go out with the big boys. I think he should do a warm-up. Maybe find somebody like 230 you don’t want to fight somebody who’s 265.”
Of course, at this time Ngannou is the champion, and Jones wants to be the champion so in that case, they might have to fight. Jackson never saw UFC gold at heavyweight but has been successful in different promotions. His last fight was back in 2019 for Bellator MMA. Despite being 44 years old, Jackson claims he is not down fighting.
“No, I ain’t done, “he said. “I’m not happy with my performance in my last fight I can’t leave the MMA fans like that.”
Jackson has a few opponents in mind, Shannon Briggs in boxing being one or he could entertain a return to MMA.
Watch the entire interview here:
