Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is currently awaiting USADA’s verdict concerning his latest failed drug test. Despite the fact that “Bones” Jones could potentially face a multi-year suspension from the octagon over the matter, division contender Anthony Smith believes he could see himself fighting the former champion within six months.
Anthony Smith is currently set to face former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 138 on Oct. 27. Speaking to FloCombat, Anthony Smith has now come forward with his thoughts on the potential of facing Jon Jones in the near future.
“I just don’t want to waste my shot. I’m very calculated in the the things that I say and I mean exactly what I say. So I’m not going to waste it playing some f*cking PR [public relations] game with Daniel Cormier,” Smith told FloCombat. “Because Daniel Cormier is not on my radar. I have no desire to challenge Daniel Cormier to anything other than doing the right thing.
“You know he’s not coming back [to light heavyweight]. I know he’s not coming back.”
“The chances of me fighting Daniel Cormier are about as close to zero as you’re going to get. The chances of me fighting Jon Jones could be six months away,” Smith said. “That’s the realization. Maybe USADA will come and hammer him with a four-year suspension, but I think if USADA was going to give him four years, they would have already done it. That’s my opinion.
“If Jon comes back and he’s back in the near future and I do what I think I’m going to do to Volkan, honestly, I think Jon Jones is probably next. I really do.”
