Ranking Jon Jones' 4 best options after reclaiming his title
"Bones" is back and better than ever.
After leaving no doubt as to who the best light heavyweight in the world is Saturday night, Jon Jones now faces an important question: What's next - or rather, who?
Here we rank four of his best options, including his own ambitious idea.
4. The newest contender
Opponent: Volkan Oezdemir
Jimi Manuwa hoped a win Saturday night would get him his first career title shot, but his 6-foot-1 Swiss opponent had other plans and registered his second straight knockout win.
Though Oezdemir has just three fights in the UFC, each has been more impressive than the last, and he's already ranked among the top five light heavyweights. He smartly called out the winner of Jones and Daniel Cormier's match - why not?
There may not yet be enough hype around "No Time" to let him fight in the main event of a PPV with Jones, but perhaps another impressive win against a top-five contender would make some noise.
3. Another title
Opponent: Stipe Miocic
After watching Conor McGregor double Jones' official UFC earnings over the past two years, "Bones" wants a big-money fight.
Following in McGregor's path, Jones could take a shot at becoming the UFC's second double champ by moving up to face heavyweight title holder Miocic. That switch shouldn't be a challenge for Jones - he has the length, athleticism, and size to hold his own - but he doubts Miocic's drawing power.
"I feel like Stipe is not known to the general public," Jones said Saturday, according to MMA Fighting. "Most people don't really know who he is - no disrespect."
Miocic may not have the greatest name recognition, but he offers the potential to be a big sell as a reigning champ with four straight first-round knockout wins.
2. The next man up
Opponent: Alexander Gustafsson
Jones has admitted on multiple occasions that his bout with Gustafsson at UFC 165 in September 2013 was the most difficult of his career - and fans would agree.
The 30-year-old Swede immediately called for a rematch with Jones after the UFC 214 main event concluded, tweeting: "I've been waiting to put my hands on you and so have all the fans." As the No. 2 ranked contender behind Jones coming into Saturday, he has a right to call for the bout.
There's no doubt "The Mauler" could give Jones as good a fight as anyone. But having just defeated Cormier for a second time, Jones may not want to immediately take on another repeat opponent - especially with one major name on the tip of everyone's tongue instead.
1. Superfight
Opponent: Brock Lesnar
Lesnar-Jones has picked up hype at a Mayweather-McGregor pace as what seemed like a harmless comment during a Facebook live chat last week escalated in a hurry.
Jones beautifully cut a WWE-style promo calling out Lesnar after handing Cormier the first knockout of his career, and Lesnar responded within hours.
There are plenty of hoops to jump through in order to make this booking happen. Lesnar needs to re-enter the USADA drug-testing pool for five months before returning to the UFC and has a WWE contract to deal with. There's also the 60-pound weight gap between them, though Jones is confident he can handle 265-pound Lesnar by jumping up to 225.
Related: Why a Jones-Lesnar superfight isn't as crazy as it sounds
If they can pull it off, however, this is the fight that's going to make the most money. Jones hasn't been able to take advantage of the more lucrative paydays the UFC's handed out to the likes of Lesnar, McGregor, and Ronda Rousey, and Lesnar represents the pound-for-pound best fighter's chance to get paid what he's worth.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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