Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman recently announced his intention to move up to the promotion’s 205-pound light heavyweight division.

While Weidman will likely have some work to do before earning himself a title shot against reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, that is of course his ultimate goal in this new weight class. And he believes he poses some real problems for the champion.

“Honestly I think I bring a lot of problems to the table with my wrestling, my jiu jitsu,” Chris Weidman said at a media scrum ahead of UFC 238 (video via MMA Fighting). “Also I’m long, and I have power in my hands — especially at 205, I think that might be a benefit for me. I think I’ll even hit harder.

“I think my wrestling and jiu jitsu, on paper, is better than his. The way he’s able to mix it up so well on the feet and then trick you with his standup and also look for takedowns, the way his uses his elbows and knees… We haven’t seen a guy do it as well as him. So I give him 100% props. But if I’m able to drag it into what I’m great at, I think I bring a serious problem. And also my pace, my pace is something that I think I really bring to the table. I don’t know if a lot of 205 pounders can hold up to that.”

In his last fight, Chris Weidman was knocked out by former Strikeforce champ Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. He’s also been stopped in several other recent setbacks. At 205 pounds, however, where the weight cut will be less taxing, he’s hoping to be a little more durable and less prone to injury.

How do you think Chris Weidman will perform in the dangerous UFC light heavyweight division? Do you think he could beat Jon Jones?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/10/2019.