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[The Sword]

Jon Jones is a rising star in the world of MMA, but at only 23 years of age, he still has room to grow, both literally and figuratively, into the part.

A few months back, the New York native teased a that his future may lie in the heavyweight division, but now with a new diet in place Jones believes that any move to a bigger weight class will be only for the right fight and not a permanent move.

Jones spoke with MMAWeekly Radio about his new diet that has him feeling better than ever as he prepares for his Feb. 5 showdown against Ryan Bader at UFC 126.

“Right now I’m weighing 218 (pounds). I have a great diet and I’m realizing the weight cut really isn’t that bad,” said Jones. “This fight is the first fight where I really, really stuck to my diet and I haven’t been cheating. So I feel great, I feel really agile, I feel really excited to be honest with you right now.”

Growing up with two brothers who are just as big if not bigger than Jones, even at six-feet-four-inches tall, he’s felt the brunt of being the smaller guy before.

“When I’m off and out of training I do get up to almost 230, and I’ve been a smaller heavyweight my whole life growing up and wrestling my brother who was ranked No. 1 in the nation as a heavyweight wrestler, and I’ve always been pushing around the bigger guys, so fighting heavyweight definitely doesn’t threaten me,” he admitted.

During his downtime, Jones mentioned that it’s McDonald’s that usually gets the best of him, but right now his diet is working wonders and he’s ready for any challenge that lies ahead at 205 pounds, not heavyweight.

If Jones does decide to take a fight at heavyweight, it will be because the right situation presents itself. He looks towards a UFC Hall of Famer for how he wants to guide his own career.

“I kind of like how Randy (Couture) has done it all throughout his MMA career,” Jones said. “With the right fight, I would definitely take a fight at heavyweight, but my dreams and my goals are all at the light heavyweight division, and I don’t want anything to get twisted saying I want to fight Cain (Velasquez) or any of the top heavyweights. If there was a cool fight stylistically for me at heavyweight, I’d give something to the fans and fight at a bigger weight.”

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has taken the road to a higher weight class for challenges like facing former titleholder Forrest Griffin, but is a natural middleweight. Jones believes he’s in the same boat.

“Exactly, that’s what I’m aiming for,” Jones mentioned when Anderson Silva’s brief move to light heavyweight happened.

Jones’ future plans remain at light heavyweight where, with a win over Ryan Bader at UFC 126, he’ll inch closer to the top of the division and, by the end of 2011, could be the top contender at 205 pounds.

Jon Jones Watches Randy Couture In Contemplating UFC Heavyweight Fights | MMAWeekly.com

I actually wouldn't mind seeing more fighter going back and forth between several divisions. I just want to see the best fights that make since. If that means JJ fighting for the Heavyweight tittle someday, I'm fine with that.

[The Sword]

sorry did not mean to put the web site in the tittle. can someone fix that? thanks.

[TBEAR]

Jones will end up at HW, there is not a question in my mind about that. He needs to put the wieght on smart though, cause the guys like Carwin, JDS, Cain, Brock are all shredded at 240+

[beau420]

Any article about Jon Jones going up in weight and doesn't mention his two football playing brothers and their weight is incomplete.

They mention he has brothers and wrestled with them.....but his brothers are huge and I think Bones is going to make the change to HW in the next 2 years....stay LHW as long as you can....

His 300 lbs brother Arthur Jones who is now in the NFL and his 251 lbs 20 year old brother Chandler Jones who is going to be finishing up at Syracuse.....You have to mention his brothers weights...because it is in his genes to get that big....at least around 240-50

[end it with a left]

Originally Posted by beau420

Any article about Jon Jones going up in weight and doesn't mention his two football playing brothers and their weight is incomplete.

They mention he has brothers and wrestled with them.....but his brothers are huge and I think Bones is going to make the change to HW in the next 2 years....stay LHW as long as you can....

His 300 lbs brother Arthur Jones who is now in the NFL and his 251 lbs 20 year old brother Chandler Jones who is going to be finishing up at Syracuse.....You have to mention his brothers weights...because it is in his genes to get that big....at least around 240-50

and thats why Dana's an idiot he keeps Jon away from a title shot cause he's young. If he earns it in his next two fights give it to him. Look at AO he used to fight at LHW (thats the weight he fought Chuck at) and now he's a huge monster. Jon could easily be a shredded 240+ guy maybe not Carwin or Brock esq but like an AO

[The Sword]

Originally Posted by end it with a left

and thats why Dana's an idiot he keeps Jon away from a title shot cause he's young. If he earns it in his next two fights give it to him. Look at AO he used to fight at LHW (thats the weight he fought Chuck at) and now he's a huge monster. Jon could easily be a shredded 240+ guy maybe not Carwin or Brock esq but like an AO

user AO is a bad example will call know why he got as big as he did.

[carbondioxide830]

first off, dana isnt keeping jones away from a shot. he has to beat bader who in my opinion has beaten tougher opponents than jones has (i still think jones takes this though) before he can even think about a shot...then he has to see whether or not rashad wins the belt cause we all know the deal w/ the jackson camp.

so say bones beats bader and evans loses his shot, i still do not see a jones/shogun match as that would likely go to rampage if he beats thiago silva.

bones is young and literally has his entire career ahead of him. i def. see him at heavyweight also, but not for at least three or four years.

BTW, overeem is at his natural size. he used to cut weight during his time in pride which explains why she looked so drawn out in virtually every fight he had there. he does not cut weight now and of course is on a horse meat diet. say what you will though.