Jon Jones is confident about the outcome of the upcoming matchup between Jiri Prochaska (30-5) and Jamahal Hill (12-2) and also gave some insight into his future.
The former light heavyweight champions will clash at UFC 311 on January 18th at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Jones expects Hill to improve Prochazka through the basics of sound, even though Czech is an unconventional puzzle.
“I think Jamahal Hill will win. Giri hits really unconventionally, but Jamahal seems like a more technical, cleaner striker,” Jones recently told The Schmo. “I’m a big fan of basic technique. Jamahal has a really strong, basic, clean kickboxing style.”
Prochaska came close to winning the vacant title when he faced Alex Pereira at UFC 295 last year, but was undefeated with 13 straight wins in the UFC. “The BJP” bounced back with a technical knockout win over Aleksandar Rakic, but was again defeated by stoppage in a rematch with “Poitan” at UFC 303 in June of this year.
Meanwhile, Hill won four straight from 2021 to 2023, defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 to capture the light heavyweight title. Although he gave up the belt due to an Achilles tendon injury, he was given a chance to win the title against Pereira in 2021. his return. “Sweet Dreams” went on to suffer a somewhat controversial first-round technical knockout loss to the Brazilian at UFC 300 in April of this year. Pereira continued despite Hill’s low blow, stopping referee Herb Dean’s interference just before landing the finishing sequence. Mr Hill claims Mr Pereira seized the opportunity to get closer to him while Mr Pereira was distracted.
Meanwhile, Jones’ future in the UFC is in jeopardy. The heavyweight champion defended his strap against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 earlier this month. However, he refuses to unify the title with interim champion Tom Aspinall unless he is given adequate compensation. Jones has previously indicated he would like to vacate the title and face light heavyweight champion Alex Perea in a superfight. ‘Bones’ refuses to reveal the numbers that would convince him to fight Aspinall, but claims he is in talks with the UFC for another bout. Although Jones has previously hinted at retirement, the MMA GOAT contender insists he is likely to fight again next year.
“So right now the UFC and I are in negotiations,” he said. “We’re negotiating what’s going to happen next. I’m back in the gym training. I feel really great…I’ll probably be racing in 2025.”
