Jon Jones praised skills Glover Teixeira. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Jon Jones he still doesn't know exactly when he will defend his light heavyweight belt in the UFC again. However, the champion praised his next challenger's skills, Glover Teixeira, who is undefeated after five fights in the organization.
After Jones' narrow victory against Alexander Gustafson at UFC 165, it was expected that an immediate rematch would be held. However, Jones revealed, in an interview with the MMA Fighting website, that it was his decision to fight Teixeira.
“It was my decision to face Glover Teixeira and I think it is a decision that should be respected. I'm getting ready to face this Brazilian who has won 20 fights in a row, who is strong, who destroys his opponents. I think he would intimidate a good part of the planet”, commented the champion.
Jones even criticized the UFC for putting Gustafsson up against Rogério Minotouro, as the champion hinted that the event would like to facilitate the Swede's path towards another title fight. This made UFC president Dana White hit back at the fighter.
Asked about the manager's response, Jones understood that it is not his role to care about his opponents' struggles. “My job as champion is to fight the best guy, be it Gustafsson, Jimi [Manuwa, Gustafsson's new opponent with Minotouro's injury] or Teixeira. So I’m going to take Dana’s advice and let all this go,” he signed off.
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