MMA News 2016: Ex-Champ Jon Jones Taking Replacement Opponent Seriously; Anthony Bourdain Wins at BJJ Tournament
Former long-time UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is not taking his upcoming fight lightly.
"Bones" is slated to face number six-ranked light heavyweight contender Ovince Saint Preux at the main event of UFC 197 on April 23rd in Las Vegas. He was originally scheduled to face champion Daniel Cormeir in a title fight rematch, but the latter was forced out of the bout due to a leg injury he sustained during training.
Many have scoffed at the idea of the said match-up, with most observers dismissing the fight as a "tune-up" for Jones. But Jones himself is not looking past his dangerous opponent.
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Speaking to FOX Sports on Monday, Jones says Saint Preux is a fighter that should be given the utmost respect.
"I'm definitely not looking at Ovince as a tune up fight. I'm looking at him as a different challenge," Jones said. "One that should be respected. He's a young fighter in the sport and he has the opportunity of a lifetime ahead of him."
"I'm sure he's going to give it all he's got to capitalize on that and do something with it."
Jones and Cormier first fought each other last January 2015, at UFC 182, after a long-standing back-and-forth trade of verbal tirades. Jones won the said fight via unanimous decision, marking his eighth consecutive title defense.
He was, however, stripped of the said title after a hit-and-run incident he was involved in last April. Cormier then won the vacant belt at UFC 187 in May 2015, after finishing Anthony "Rumble" Johnson via third round submission.
Meanwhile, renowned television host Anthony Bourdain has added another feather to his cap, this time in the realm of martial arts.
In a report by Jiu-Jitsu Times, the 59-year old TV personality bagged the gold medal in the Blue Belt Masters 5 Middleweight Division at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) New York Spring International Open Championship.
Bourdain is currently the host of CNN's "Parts Unknown".
