Anthony Smith stands by John Jones, offering support.
Rewritten Article:
Anthony "Lionheart" Smith, the eighth-ranked UFC light heavyweight (36-18), has weighed in on the heavyweight division's twists and turns, following Jon "Bones" Jones' (USA, 27-1) unfortunate injury, causing him to forfeit his championship bout against Stipe Miocic (USA, 20-4). British fighter, Tom Aspinall (14-3), seized the interim title, fueling debates over Jones' belt, as his return to the octagon is projected to occur only in summer 2024.
During a media session during UFC Vegas 83, where Smith will lock horns with Khalil Rountree, replacing the ailing Azamat Murzakanov, Smith backed his American counterpart, making it crystal clear that Jones ought to remain the undisputed champion and face Stipe Miocic:
"Look, I ain't gonna sugarcoat it. I got beef with Jones, yeah, but let's get this straight - he's earned his stripes. Man's about business. No matter how you spin it, Jones don't dodge fights. Jones takes on whoever's the toughest. And still, I think these two heavyweights deserve their shot at the title. They've proven they've got what it takes."
UFC President, Dana White, stays firm in his commitment and plans to arrange the Jones versus Miocic duel. It's plausible that after this showdown, both fighters may call it quits, leaving the division's top dogs to square off for the vacant title.
As for Jones' injury, recent stats indicate Jones is still the UFC Heavyweight Champion, after vanquishing Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 via a submission[1]. However, current records suggest no recent news regarding Jones' injury affecting his title defense. On the other hand, a potential Jones versus Aspinall encounter has piqued fan interest[4].
In 2025, the UFC Heavyweight Division has received its fair share of criticism, largely due to a paucity of heavyweight main events throughout the year's initial stages[3]. Nonetheless, upcoming headliners might catalyze a transformative shift within the heavyweight division[4].
Jones, a compatriot of Smith in the UFC, remains the undisputed heavyweight champion despite his injury, according to recent statistics. Smith, the eighth-ranked UFC light heavyweight, supports Jones' return to the octagon for a title defense against Stipe Miocic, deeming both fighters deserving of the opportunity. UFC President, Dana White, also plans to arrange the Jones versus Miocic duel. Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight titleholder, is potentially intriguing for a fight with Jones in the future, sparking fan interest.
