This is going to be the first fight of 2019 for Jones, but fans can expect to see him compete at least two to three more times this year.
?I keep arguing with myself whether I?m going to go once a quarter or just three times this year,? Jones told MMA Junkie. ?My goal is to be active. Usually my feet hurt after fights because I?m a heavy kicker. Hopefully I?ll be able to get right back to training and just stay active. That?s my goal.?
Jones? most active year in the UFC was 2011, where he competed a total of four times.
Even though Jones has a plan in mind for 2019, one thing that the fighter is fully focused on at the moment is Smith and UFC 235.
?When the camp started I didn?t know anything about him, really,? Jones said. ?Now that I?ve been studying him I see he?s a worthy opponent. To everyone else, he?s this gigantic underdog, but I take him very seriously. He?s done some nice things in his past fights and he has my full attention. My goal is to finish the fight and dominate him, but I give him my full respect and he?s ready to be in this position. I?m excited for a good challenge.?
UFC 235 takes place on Saturday, March 2 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Jon Jones and Anthony Smith headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.