UFC
UFC NEWS: Jon Jones targeting the heavyweight division in the future
Jul 16, 2010 - 2:38:03 PM UFC NEWS: Jon Jones targeting the heavyweight division in the future

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Fast rising light heavyweight phenom Jon Jones isn't just content with his constantly elevating status in the UFC's 205 lb. division. Getting ready to headline a UFC event for the second straight time, Jones is already looking at future challenges in the heavyweight division as well.

"This training camp has been really tough for me, actually," Jones said on MMA Live this week. "I got up to about 231 (pounds) for the first time, and I'll be 23 on Monday. I feel as if I'm growing into a more adult body."

"Who knows what the future holds for me. I'm always training hard, and I'm going to start to focus more on weightlifting in my off-time. You heavyweights gotta watch out because you never know what's going to happen."

But he's not looking past the light heavyweight division just yet, and knows he's got plenty of challenges still ahead of him there.

"Our weightclass is stacked, and there's lots of competition at the 205-pound division," Jones said. "But there's also lots of competition at the heavyweight division. I'm always looking for a challenge."

Penick's Analysis: Jones is going to be a force in the UFC for years to come, whether at 205 lb. or heavyweight. He's always evolving his game, and he's so young that he still has nowhere to go but up. He may be derailed by a loss or two on his way up the ladder, but he's a fighter that has a legitimate shot at being the next generation champion in the light heavyweight division a year or two down the line, and can move on to heavyweight once he can no longer make the cut to 205 lb. That won't be for awhile, though, so the UFC's light heavyweights should continue keeping their eye on this kid.