[autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] sees [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]’ move up to heavyweight as a drive to get better.
Two-time UFC 205-pound champion Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) recently vacated his belt and announced that his next fight will be at heavyweight. Although UFC president Dana White said Francis Ngannou is next in line for UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, Rozenstruik isn’t against Jones getting an immediate title shot.
“I think if the UFC give him the title shot, that means he deserves it,” Rozenstruik told MMA Junkie Radio. “Jon Jones in the heavyweight division is the new trend (at) heavyweight, and it gives me as a fighter (reason) to train harder on things that I think other fighters do. Jon Jones is a great fighter. He’s a good fighter, and for me, it just motivates me more to look forward.”
Rozenstruik (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) rebounded from his first career loss to Ngannou, with a second-round finish over Junior Dos Santos at UFC 252 earlier this month. With Curtis Blaydes facing Derrick Lewis, Alexander Volkov taking on Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem vs. Augusto Sakai all booked, that leaves Rozenstruik with few options left.
The top heavyweight contender is hoping for a quick turnaround and is willing to face anyone, just as long as it makes sense.
“Everybody’s booked now,” Rozenstruik said. “If the UFC comes with a great fight and it makes sense for us, we will take it, of course. I would like to stay busy. I like to fight. I don’t like to hang back and stay and wait – especially now we don’t know what’s happening. I’m in shape. I didn’t fight that long (against Dos Santos), so I’m ready to go again. But I’m going to see what the UFC comes with.”
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