Anthony Smith

By FCF Staff

Jon Jones is the consensus and heavy favorite to defeat Anthony Smith at UFC 235, and the surging contender is shocked some fans believe “Bones” will run through him.

Smith is expected to face the light-heavyweight champ on March 2nd, provided the latter receives a license from the Nevada Commission for the Las Vegas card. Smith has been tapped for a title shot after finishing Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua and Volkan Oezdemir in consecutive bouts.

Recently the veteran fighter spoke with MMA Junkie, and while discussing the upcoming bout, “Lionheart” said this:

“I think it’s goddamn amazing that all these people are assuming that if me and Jon Jones fight, he’s going to get me out of there in one round,” said Smith.

“He doesn’t hit any harder than (Volkan) Oezdemir and Hector Lombard,” Smith added. “He’s not any better of a wrestler, for the most part, of guys that I’ve fought. And he’s not any better a jiu-jitsu guy that all the guys I’ve fought. He puts it together better than anyone that’s in the game right now. But he doesn’t wow me anywhere, especially the fight that he just had.”

Jones faced Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232 last month for the vacated, light-heavyweight belt, and took the title via a third round, stoppage win.

The early betting lines for UFC 235 have Jones as a -755 to -1000 favorite to defeat Smith.