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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
23-year-old Jon Jones has captivated MMA fans over the last year with dominating performances over a number of opponents in the light heavyweight division, capping it off by capturing the Light Heavyweight Championship with a one-sided beating of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua this month.
Because of his 6'4" frame and 84" reach - along with the way he's been taking people out in the 205 lb. division - fans and writers alike believe his future lies in the heavyweight division. One fight that has already been talked about as a potential superfight is one with current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez.
For his part, Velasquez thinks it would be a great fight, even if it's not on his mind just yet as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.
"It would be great [to fight Jones]," Velasquez said in an interview with MMADigest. "I think he's a really talented fighter, he's impressive to watch. But right now, my focus right now is about getting 100% for myself right now and as far as fighting right now, it just seems so far away because I'm trying just to get in the gym and trying to train. But he's talented, he looks good in all his fights and he's going to be tough to beat."
Velasquez also said he'll be cleared for light training within three weeks, but he's continuing to rehab the shoulder preparing for his return later this year against the winner of the UFC 131 bout between Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos.
Link to Video Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNmYxFujqfo&feature=player_embedded
Penick's Analysis: Down the line, Jones' move to the heavyweight division is going to bring about some extremely exciting matchups, and a bout with Velasquez is certainly among those. The talent and skill of Jones is bringing widespread recognition with both fans and fighters, and deservedly so. Jones still has a lot of business to take care of at 205 lbs., and a heavyweight move is still at least a couple of years in the future, but when he does make the move it will make for an exciting time in the UFC's heavyweight division.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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