Morning Report: Jon Jones wants superfight with Cain Velasquez, plans permanent heavyweight move within two years

While fans have long campaigned to see him face former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in some capacity, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones seems to be moving in another direction. Answering fan questions at an event in Toronto, Jones opened up on plans for moving to heavyweight and eventually facing champion Cain Velasquez.

"Yea, definitely. I think that's going to happen within the next two years," says Jones. "I'll go up to heavyweight, permanently. But I am looking to take a superfight sooner or later, within the next year. I'm excited for it. I've been really thinking about me and Cain Velasquez going at it. I think it'd be huge for the sport. He's definitely the toughest guy in the division and he's not that big so I think it'd be a really entertaining fight. Don't be surprised if you see that sooner or later."

Currently walking around at about 230 pounds, Jones says he's not far off the mark from making the move. "I would gain about 10 pounds of muscle and compete with him [Velasquez] around 240lbs."

At 6'4, Jones already enjoys a sizable reach advantage at 84.5 inches compared to Velasquez at 77 inches standing 6'1. Measurables aren't everything, but we all know how much size matters to the UFC.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Vitor impartial. No. 1 UFC middleweight contender Vitor Belfort doesn't have a preference in facing either Anderson Silva or Chris Weidman. He just wants the strap. "I'm just waiting for the winner. I don't create expectations because I can get frustrated in the end. I've earned my shot at the title and I will fight whoever wins this fight."

MMA Beat. Catch the latest episode of the MMA Beat as the crew discusses UFC 167, Rampage, Hendo, TUF and more.

Under review. Luke Thomas breaks down the 9th season of Bellator to see what worked and what needs improving.

Changing tunes. According to Georges St-Pierre's coach, Dana White called the welterweight champion following UFC 167 to tell him he now believes he won his bout with Johny Hendricks.

Heating up. Tim Kennedy believes Michael Bisping will eventually chicken out of their eventual clash. "He talks tough on Twitter but when it comes down to fighting me, he's going to be a chicken. He's going to try and dodge me." Bisping responds.

MEDIA STEW

Free fight: Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi.

Chinzo Machida lands sweet flying knee at RFA 11.

Johny Hendricks interview with Inside MMA.

Luke Thomas special. Junior Suicida vs. Bruno Suicida at Iron Man Fight 17. Skip to about 1:00.

Adriana Lima something something Manny Pacquiao.

Promo for FIGHT NIGHTS "Battle 14" on Dec. 7 is the most Russian thing ever.

Justin Woods vs. Tim Dunn at UVC 26. For the ladies.

Rogério Karranca vs. Magno Magú at Jungle Fight 61.

TWEETS

GSP healing up.

Thanks to Dave and Ken for this great Sunday afternoon in Miami! First time ever at an NFL game! pic.twitter.com/8X1LqKts9G

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) November 24, 2013

Hendricks dressing up.

Me and my oldest daughter yea I attend princess party's :) pic.twitter.com/jqJCiNgxfu

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) November 23, 2013

TUF wrapped up.

Had a blast coaching The Ultimate Fighter 19 the past month n a half. Wanna thank my friends and... http://t.co/L1YFRVXfk6

— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) November 24, 2013

Sick burn, bro.

In fact this is the perfect card for @TimKennedyMMA pic.twitter.com/udnPv8riDv

— michael (@bisping) November 23, 2013

It is kind of sad @bisping has to steal material "@rickygervais: This probably wasn't the clearest font to use.. pic.twitter.com/fC97yxt6u0"

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 23, 2013

Unsettled.

@mmasarah honor?honor is to win & lose graciously.ur contemptuous as a person surprises me.thought you were better than that.

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) November 22, 2013

@mmasarah dont worry we are all going for that title& this road is short.We may cross again we may not.until then cut catty BS and fight !

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) November 22, 2013

@jessicaevileye @TalkMMA @DocHowie I agree it was a close fight, but not the 3rd rd which is what decided the fight.

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) November 22, 2013

@mmasarah dont worry we are all going for that title& this road is short.We may cross again we may not.until then cut catty BS and fight !

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) November 22, 2013

@mmasarah pic.twitter.com/HkK4aMZwVM

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) November 22, 2013

@jessicaevileye I did admit I should have done more earlier on but you also admitted you lost rd 3...

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) November 22, 2013

More good news from Struve.

Still 3 tests comming up in january and february but if things keep going the way they are going I should be allowed to fight after that!

— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) November 24, 2013

Lombard ready for any number of possible apocalypse scenarios.

Having fun at the shooting range today👍 pic.twitter.com/NhwOGQwKzB

— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) November 24, 2013

China is a land of contrast.

Giant killer wasps in Ankang, China have already killed 42 people. Crazy how big they are! pic.twitter.com/NqSFZqfmw7

— Cung Le (@CungLe185) November 24, 2013

So apparently @Starbucks sells fresh watermelon juice here in China. #SoGood! pic.twitter.com/HGfHRpZLm3

— Cody Donovan (@donnybrookcody) November 24, 2013

Smoke free.

You know your in the country when the local bar as one of these!! pic.twitter.com/2hcAEq3HtU

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) November 24, 2013

Sort of amazed that worked out.

@philbaroni ok

— Jason (@mayhemmiller) November 22, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Nov. 22-24 2013)

Lorenz Larkin vs. Brad Tavares at UFC Fight Night 35

Donald Cerrone vs. Adriano Martins at UFC on Fox 10

Justin Edwards vs. Ramsey Nijem at UFC Fight Night 35

Brian Houston vs. Trevor Smith at UFC Fight Night 35

Jason High vs. Adlan Amagov at UFC Fight Night 35

Chico Camus vs. Yaotzin Meza at UFC on Fox 10

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Michael Shulski.

Bellator 109 Prelims: Three Prospects Shine

The Bellator 109 Prelims showcased three impressive prospects catching three stoppage victories in. Bubba Jenkins, Goiti Yamauchi and Blagoi Ivanov are relevant mma fighters in their respective weight divisions.

First, Bubba Jenkins showed that he improved his cardio. The commentators believed this to be the reason he has one loss on his record to Bubba LaRue. Against Ian Rammel, Jenkins was able to display his NCAA Division One Champion pedigree in a workman like victory. Jenkins used double leg takedowns, often with slams, to ground Rammel. He then went on to pound out Rammel in the third round. Now that Jenkins has addressed his cardio and pacing, it will be interesting where his next fight is. Hopefully, Bellator will put him in the lightweight tournament.

Goiti Yamauchi was seven pounds overweight for his clash with Saul Almeida. Normally a grappling whiz, Yamauchi was able to show off some precise, strong striking that sent Almeida crashing to the canvas in the first round. Earlier in the fight, Yamauchi showed off a thai clinch and knees that looked like they were straight out of Yamauchi's hometown of Curitiba. It was like Wanderlei Silva when he trained at Chute Box. At a young twnety years old, Yamauchi now holds a 16-1 record and could be lined up in the Bellator featherweight tournament in the future.

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