All that stands in the way of Jon Jones defending the Light Heavyweight crown at UFC 235 is an OK from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Dana White confirmed his plans with TMZ; the UFC president has chosen Anthony Smith from the list of hopefuls clamoring for Jones' belt. Upon hearing the news, Smith wasted little time in stoking the flames - insisting that all men were not created equal. I would assume Smith is talking about the presumed "superstar" treatment the UFC is guilty of providing Jon "Bones" Jones.
It was reported that Dana White took certain precautions to ensure Anthony Smith and Jon Jones wouldn't cross paths at UFC 232. The thought was: it would be best to not "irritate" Jon Jones before his main event fight. Smith and Jones were seated at the same long-table during the pre-fight press conference for UFC 232. "I wanted to be respectful and be the better person and not stick myself in that situation to where I would be the one looking like the (censored),” Smith told MMAjunkie this morning.
Regardless of Jon Jones' "true intent," if the fight goes to plan, Anthony Smith stands a good chance of holding his own against the repeat champion. The new #1 contender is on a three-fight win streak since moving up to "Light Heavyweight," having scored impressive wins against MMA bigshots like Rashad Evans and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, the latter by way of knockout. Who do you see coming out the victor in their proposed title fight: Bones or Anthony Smith? - comment below.