Jon Jones Will defend his light-heavyweight title against Anthony Smith at UFC 235 in Las Vegas on March 2nd.
At least that’s the plan as long as Jones is cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission followed his abnormal drug test prior to UFC 232 that saw the promotion switch the entire event from Las Vegas to California while NSAC investigated the issue fully.
UFC officials insisted at the time and since that the positive test for turinabol was microscopic remnants from a previous drug suspension and as such wasn’t a new offense that should be punishable, but NSAC will still be looking to do their due diligence on the matter before allowing Jones to fight there again.
Despite the upheaval close to fight night, Jones went on to defeated Alexander Gustafsson via TKO in the second round at UFC 232 to claim the vacant 205lb title belt.
Now he’ll go up against the surging Smith, who has racked up an impressive three fight winning streak since stepping up to light-heavyweight in mid-2018.
Since then he’s knocked out Rashad Evans, KO’d Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and most recently submitted Volkan Oezdemir to swiftly climb up the divisional ladder, currently residing at No.3 as he now gets ready for the biggest fight of his career.
Jones Vs Smith would headline a UFC 235 card that is currently also expected to feature a major welterweight fight as Robbie Lawler welcomes Ben Askren to the Octagon, while Jeremy Stephens fights Zabit Magomedsharipov and Ovince Saint Preux goes up against Misha Cirkunov.
