LAS VEGAS – UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says Thiago Santos’ much-vaunted knockout power won’t be a factor when the pair meet in the main event of UFC 239.
Jones (24-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against Santos (21-6 MMA, 13-5 UFC) at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, and said he’s confident that he can not just avoid the Brazilian powerhouse’s concussive punches, but he can also secure a finish of his own.
Speaking to the media and fans at the UFC 239 open workouts on the MGM Grand casino floor, Jones said Santos’ knockout power isn’t something that is preoccupying him as he completes his preparations for Saturday night’s title fight.
“I’m not too concerned with his power,” Jones told reporters, including MMA Junkie, “I think you could knock me out if I put my hands behind my back and let you punch me in the face! I think every man and woman in this audience is strong enough to knock me out if I let them punch me squarely in the chin.
“Every UFC fighter I’ve ever fought has had the power to knock me out,” Jones said. “It’s about being skilled enough to land that punch. Thus far, no one’s been skilled enough to land that punch, and I don’t think anything is going to change on Saturday night.”
Jones noted reports suggesting Santos had bulked up with additional muscle ahead of the fight, and said that approach may well backfire on the Brazilian the longer the fight progresses.
“MMA is an endurance sport, it’s a 25-minute endurance sport,” he explained. “I believe in the first two rounds his muscles will work to his advantage. Anything after that, he’s carrying extra weight and I think it will ultimately work against him.
“I’m actually a lot lighter than I normally am (in fight week),” he continued. “My idea was I’m fighting a guy moving up from middleweight, so I don’t need to be any more powerful, or stronger, for this fight. I need to be able to move really well and have some serious endurance.
“So I believe if it goes anywhere past two rounds, the fight is definitely going to quickly move in my favor, but I also believe I can finish him in the first two rounds as well, so let’s just see how it all plays out.”
For more on UFC 239, check out the Schedule section of the site.
