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In addition to telling us he was 'losing money' working with Nike, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones opened up about his future on Andrei Arlovski's Google Hangout Thursday night.
Jones has flip-flopped on whether or not he'd be moving to heavyweight since 2013, but his latest stance has him sticking at 205 pounds.
"Honestly, probably not," Jones said of moving up. "As I get older I'm maturing a lot more. My weight cuts are becoming a lot more easy. I'm learning how to eat better. I'll probably be at light heavyweight for a long time."
Jones faces No. 1 contender Anthony Johnson May 23 at UFC 187 and said in March that he'd 'consider the division clear' after beating him.
"I'll probably go to heavyweight for one or two superfights at some point and then get back down to light heavyweight," Jones said.
Jones also spoke about staying motivated in the sport, saying he's gunning to break records held by former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre.
With nine wins in UFC title bouts, Jones trails both Silva (11) and St-Pierre (12). With a win against Johnson, Jones will tie St-Pierre's nine consecutive UFC title defenses. Silva still leads with 10.
"I mixed martial arts, I would say that Anderson Silva has been my biggest motivation and inspiration," Jones said. "Just because of the things he's been able to achieve, the records that he has. Sometimes I feel as if the journey's been long. When I start to think that way I remember that there have been people who have had the belt longer than I've had it. Who have defended it more than I've defended it. It makes me feel 'If they did it, there's no reason to be tired.'
"You've got to freaking muster it up and give it your all every time. Until I beat one of these guys' records I'm going to keep on pushing and give it all I've got."
Finally, Jones had some parting words for his old friend Phil Davis. A free agent, Davis announced Wednesday that he'd signed with Bellator MMA.
"Oh my goodness," said Jones. "'Mr. JV,' himself. To be honest, I'm happy for him if he's going to make more money over there. Ultimately, it's about providing for our families. It's a job at the end of the day. If he's going to be treated better over there, good for him.
"I do believe the competition is not as stiff at Bellator as the UFC so I think he'll definitely be a top three guy in the world now. Good for him. Maybe he'll even win it. To be a world champion and to make a little more money, that's a win-win. But good luck 'crumbling me like a cookie' from all the way over there."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
The MMA Beat. The panel discusses UFC on FOX 15, Phil Davis signing with Bellator, the demise of UFC 186, and much more.
'The right move.' Dana White says the UFC was ‘not very close at all' to re-signing Brock Lesnar.
Our fault. Lyoto Machida blames the damn media for his past rift with Anderson Silva.
Camozzi be damed. Rondaldo Souza says he should still get his middleweight title shot with a win at UFC on FOX 15.
Just a nudge. Matt Hughes says 'all it would take is a phone call from Dana' and he'd return to fighting in the UFC.
MEDIA STEW
UFC on FOX 15 media day highlights.
Staredowns.
Forrest Griffin being very un-Forrest Griffin-like which is actually pretty great.
Short Paige Vanzant mini doc.
Dana White agrees with Conor McGregor.
Needless to say, fairly graphic. Finish breakfast first.
Long watches.
...
TWEETS
Guys I know that Iam completely out of form, as I haven't trained for manny years, but Iam trying, and because of that Iam working very hard to get the rhythm back and do my best, because if I don't do this, I will never know if I really can make it. I will train very hard like I always did and try to get a spot in the Olympics . Iam in another level, will need lots of work as the Olympic athletes are mainly super athletes , that are years ahead of everyone , but yes, I will leave my comfort zone and TRY!!! The worse that could happen is for me not to get a satisfactory result, but at least I will be sure that I tried!
I'd watch.
Hendricks https://t.co/mJpkspfkKp
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) April 17, 2015
I want to fight @ShinyaAoki but he's ducking me. I almost had that fight in dream they passed on it then and he's passing on it again
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) April 17, 2015
Get well soon.
Getting my nose surgery done, from V6 engine to V8, here we go||--->>>Preparando pra minha cirurgia... https://t.co/vjCYmpGRiB
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) April 16, 2015
Cuttin'.
Little sweaty sweat last night after my work out:) #teamalphamale #love #UFCNewJersey https://t.co/3v6sMlmaWG
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) April 15, 2015
Working to get those pounds off!!! All mental now. This is the hard part. Less than 24hrs til i hop... https://t.co/c73YAtX9Zn
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) April 17, 2015
Cutting weight is when I feel most vulnerable
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) April 13, 2015
Fun.
@seanshelby I wrote you a poem! <clears throat> *ahem* pic.twitter.com/KkmNFbaYoG
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) April 16, 2015
Congrats.
At one time I couldn't imagine going 1 day without a drink or drug. Today marks 9 years drug and alcohol free. #recoveryispossible
— Court McGee (@Court_McGee) April 16, 2015
officially a father of two @ufc #Repost mightywife with repostapp.⁰・・・⁰welcome to the world my... https://t.co/k7tKJGsedY
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) April 16, 2015
Those were the days.
Back in the day when I was a young PRIDE fighter. Tuf fight and big win 4 me over Kevin Randleman..... https://t.co/fQVUXmtMKh
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) April 16, 2015
#tbt after I knocked out Wanderlei and got the middleweight title at #pride 33 in #lasvega... http://t.co/3PZAbjbjWb pic.twitter.com/00Q93Bwdg1
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) April 16, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
The 645 doesn't have the take off but she gets there! https://t.co/TLDR6MZgah
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 17, 2015
Phil Davis @ufc pic.twitter.com/HEQgB10jwa
— THE BLACK BEAST (@Thebeast_ufc) April 16, 2015
I had no opportunity to do so. https://t.co/1JNRUT1pEP
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) April 17, 2015
Maybe the whole wonderful thing will come into play now https://t.co/xRn7H9wqQl
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 16, 2015
A company agreed to pay for the flight a few weeks ago but then backed out a few days ago
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) April 16, 2015
Where there is no struggle there is no strength https://t.co/nJUYxku3je
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) April 16, 2015
Anyone got an MCL for sale mine seems to have exploded
— Danny Mitchell (@DannyAranha) April 16, 2015
In the icebath today thnx to @USMAN84kg for putting in ice like there is no tomorrow #AlmostDied after 4 min "NUMB" pic.twitter.com/PHq0QDjP48
— Rico Verhoeven (@RicoVerhoeven) April 16, 2015
Dear @ufc it's been 5 months. Let me show you the future of the welterweight division. Sincerely yours, Chaos. pic.twitter.com/wgPd4ggAX6
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) April 13, 2015
These scumbags have clamped me at my own apartment again. Put a warning notice on at 7:45am & clamped me 1 hour later pic.twitter.com/SeVdWm0VPA
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) April 13, 2015
Dude. Have you herd of that fighter show tuf? You should totally try out for that . That would be tight. #jushadthisconvo #truestory
— DaMarques Johnson (@DaMarques_UFC) April 13, 2015
When you're broke as fuck & your car gets towed $320 later... fuck you car gods!! #upthebuttnobabies pic.twitter.com/LucBQOKVbR
— 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) April 13, 2015
This sums up my morning :\ https://t.co/B29D2fjBew pic.twitter.com/RCIx3bhb8y
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) April 16, 2015
I have to use the bathroom but really don't want to make this elderly couple struggle to stand up and let me out. Looks like I'm holding it
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) April 14, 2015
We need an iPhone 4 charger for raging Al Iaquinta asap who is close by NJ
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) April 15, 2015
Haven't made it home yet. Just got off the worst plane ride of my life. I'm still holding a sick bag in the airport https://t.co/qsh7JxP7rq
— heatherjoclark (@heatherjoclark) April 15, 2015
I really don't dig this release of fighters earnings into the public. That's our personal business not the publics
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) April 14, 2015
Whoa, check out @TheNotoriousMMA's cool new belly button tat! #UFC189 #ConorBless pic.twitter.com/XiTSHQXcAm
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) April 15, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (April 16 2015)
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Masio Fullen at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira
Nikita Krylov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.
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