Jon
Jones is certain about the outcome of the upcoming clash
between Jiri
Prochazka (30-5) and Jamahal
Hill (12-2) — and he also offered some insight into his own
future.
The former light heavyweight champs will clash at UFC 311
on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Jones expects Hill to
get the better of Prochazka through sound basics despite the Czech
being an unorthodox puzzle.
“I think Jamahal
Hill will win. Jiri has really unorthodox striking, but Jamahal
seems like the more technical, more clean striker,” Jones recently
told The Schmo. “I’m a big fan of basic techniques, and Jamahal has
a really strong, basic, clean kickboxing style.”
Prochazka was riding a 13-fight winning streak and undefeated in
the UFC when he fell short in a bid for the vacant title against
Alex
Pereira at UFC 295 last year. While “BJP” bounced back with a
technical knockout win over Aleksandar
Rakic, he suffered another stoppage win in a rematch with
“Poatan” at UFC 303 this past June.
Meanwhile, Hill mounted a four-fight winning streak from 2021 to
2023, capturing the light heavyweight crown with a win over
Glover
Teixeira at UFC 283. He vacated the belt after suffering an
Achilles injury but was given a shot at the title against Pereira
upon his return. “Sweet Dreams” went on suffer a slightly
controversial first-round technical knockout loss against the
Brazilian at UFC 300 this past April. Pereira continued despite a
low blow from Hill and stopped referee Herb Dean from
interfering, right before landing the finishing sequence. Hill
claims Pereira seized the opportunity to close the distance on him
while he was distracted.
Meanwhile, Jones’ future in the UFC hangs in the balance. The
heavyweight champ defended his strap against Stipe
Miocic at UFC 309
earlier this month. However, he refuses to unify the title against
interim champ Tom
Aspinall unless offered an adequate payday. Jones has also
previously indicated that he would rather vacate his title and take
on light heavyweight champ Alex Pereria in a superfight. While
“Bones” refuses to disclose the number that would persuade him to
fight Aspinall, he claims to be in talks with the UFC about another
outing. Although Jones previously hinted at retirement, the MMA
GOAT contender claims he is more than likely to fight next
year.
“So right now, the UFC and me, we’re in negotiations,” he said.
“We’re in talks to see what happens next. I’m back in the gym, I’m
training. I feel really great… I will be competing in 2025 more
than likely.”