Jon Jones has highlighted Anderson Silva and Ilia Topuria as the 2 fighters who most seize his consideration, tying his personal legacy to each a previous icon and an energetic champion in a manner that displays the place he’s in his profession.
Jon Jones on the fighters who excite him most: Anderson Silva and Ilia Topuria
Speaking with Helen Yee on the Movie star Sweat flag soccer occasion throughout Tremendous Bowl week at Cal Berkeley, Jones was requested who his favourite fighter to look at is. He instantly pointed to longtime affect Anderson Silva, then shifted to present UFC light-weight champion Ilia Topuria. Within the interview, Jones mentioned:
“My favourite fighter to look at, it’s all the time been Anderson Silva. He’s unbelievable. Proper now, I’d say Ilia. He actually will get me excited. He’s simply dynamite.” The second got here late within the interview, after he had mentioned his soccer look and training heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson.
Jones has long been linked with Silva in GOAT debates, and naming him here keeps that connection alive. Silva’s run as UFC middleweight champion included a record title-defense streak, highlight-reel finishes, and a style built around timing and counter-striking, which influenced a generation that included Jones. By calling Silva his favorite to watch and “unbelievable,” Jones reinforces the idea that his own creative striking and risk-taking were shaped by watching Silva at his peak.
Topuria is an energetic champion and one of many fighters Jones has praised most over the previous yr because the Georgian-Spanish star has moved up via the UFC ranks. Topuria has been famous for remaining undefeated whereas scoring knockouts over high-profile names in his rise, which has elevated him into pound-for-pound discussions. Jones has beforehand spoken in regards to the problem of staying champion and framed Topuria’s subsequent few years because the true take a look at of whether or not he can maintain the belt over time. Calling Topuria “simply dynamite” and saying he “actually will get me excited” ties into how Jones views explosive finishers who can change a combat in a single sequence.
Bones’ Jones reacted to speak of Topuria going through Justin Gaethje at a proposed UFC White Home occasion, responding “How loopy would that be? Sorry Gaethje,” displaying clear help for Topuria in that matchup. Gaethje himself has spoken about eager to face Topuria in that setting, describing a stroll from the Oval Workplace into the cage as his most well-liked situation for the occasion. Jones’ backing of Topuria, mixed along with his reward for Silva and his personal hints that he “could possibly be achieved” with preventing in 2026, positions him extra as an elder statesman weighing in on the following wave than an energetic rival watching potential opponents.
