Jones says he wouldn't be able to prepare for fight with Glover in February

J. Jones. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Jon Jones confirmed that he had to postpone his confrontation against Glover Teixeira because he would not be in a physical condition to perform properly.

The American was scheduled to make his seventh defense of the light heavyweight belt at UFC 170, in February of next year. However, a few days after the announcement, the UFC stated that the fight would have to take place on another date yet to be defined.

Jones believes that his body would not be in a position to prepare in the best way possible for combat. In his last performance, he hit Alexander Gustafson in September, after an intense battle that wore down the champion.

“The reason I didn't take the fight [in February] is because I don't think my body is ready for training. I wanted to be there for the fans, for the UFC, but in order for me to be able to do that, I need to listen to my body and prepare myself. That’s what being healthy is,” said the athlete.

“My eye isn’t ready to take punches yet. I'm worried this could reopen it, which would make the scar worse and prolong the issue even longer. My foot isn't ready, either. When I wake up, I get out of bed and I hear my foot clicking,” Jones described.

Furthermore, the fighter stated that he intends to spend the end of year festivities in his city instead of the place where he carries out his training. “I've spent Christmas the past three years in Albuquerque and this time I wanted to spend it with my family in New York so my kids can see the Christmas they should. That’s the biggest reason why I postponed the fight until March,” he stated.

Jones also took the opportunity to once again praise Teixeira's game. “He is an incredible athlete. He's a jiu-jitsu black belt, one of the best boxers I've ever faced and probably has the greatest knockout power I've ever faced. It's a great fight. He’s a big, scary, intimidating guy, and when I fight people like that, I do what I do best,” he said.