UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his thoughts on Jon Jones vacating the Light Heavyweight Championship.<\/p>\n
Smith, 32, is hoping to get back to winning ways this Saturday when he squares off against rising star Aleksandar Rakic in a huge fight at 205 pounds. “Lionheart” was beaten by vetern Glover Teixeira in the fifth round of their main event in May, and ever since then he’s been itching to get back into the Octagon.<\/p>\n
The former middleweight also has some experience when it comes to Jon Jones, unsuccessfully challenging him for the Light Heavyweight Championship in March 2019. Now, Smith has given his thoughts on “Bones” surrendering the title during this week’s virtual media day.<\/p>\n
\n.@lionheartasmith<\/a> on Jon Jones vacating the light heavyweight title:<\/p>\n
“That’s a noble thing to do.”<\/p>\n
Watch full video: https:\/\/t.co\/rsGLWayeMq<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/P8UzTfEEj5<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) August 27, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cJon Jones is one of those guys where if he gets something, you\u2019re gonna have to peel it out of his cold, dead hands to get it back from him, which is the mentality that makes him so great,” Smith said. “That was a cool look into where Jon Jones was at personally where he was willing to make the type of decision that doesn\u2019t necessarily benefit him that much and it does benefit a lot of other people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not typically the guy that\u2019s got a whole bunch of nice things to say about Jon Jones but that\u2019s a noble thing to do [give up the title],” Smith added. “He could\u2019ve held onto that title for a long time and gone up to heavyweight, done his thing, talked about coming back down or not coming back down and drag everyone out for a long time, but he didn\u2019t do that. It was a surprise to me and that says a lot of positive things about where Jon Jones is in his life right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, Anthony Smith still has to focus on his own career, and that includes contemplating a long-awaited grudge match<\/a> against Luke Rockhold.<\/p>\n