Anthony Smith, who was an analyst for the event, would take to Twitter to issue a challenge to the new champion:
.@JonnyBones we are on a collision course. Let’s dance. #Lionheart
— Anthony Smith (@lionheartasmith) December 30, 2018
That Twitter post came less than a day after the two had an exchange on the UFC 232 post-fight show on Fox Sports 1:
Did @JonnyBones and @lionheartsmith just set up a date for July?... pic.twitter.com/RwnkoSKhKC
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 30, 2018
Jones, on the same post-fight show, hinted that a potential fight with Smith this July, saying:
“I believe that this is my era. I believe that I’m only getting better and I will defeat who I have to defeat. I got you in July if that’s what it’s going to be.”
The UFC currently has no events scheduled for July, but if the pay-per-view schedule continues in its current trajectory, it would mean that July’s event would be UFC 239. Smith currently sits at #3 in the UFC Light Heavyweight Division Rankings, but could be moving up after the Gustafsson loss this past weekend.
