Anthony Smith Fires Back At Jon Jones: ‘He Cheats’

Anthony Smith has had a tremendous 2018 having put together three consecutive wins over some big names in the UFC’s 205-pounds division.

The 30-year-old has quickly made his way up to #3 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings and has inserted himself in the title picture with his recent stoppage of Volkan Oezdemir. Despite his run, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones dismissed Smith’s prospects as a contender last week at the UFC 232 press conference and brushed of talk of a future fight with him.

Speaking backstage at UFC Denver last evening, Smith reacted to Jones’ comments and laid down the facts of their careers over the past three years.

“I think that Jon is in a weird place right now,” Smith said. “I’ve won three fights in five months. Jon Jones has won three fights in five years. Like, what more do I need to do? I’m busting my ass.

“I’m in great, entertaining fights with three finishes. So a part of me is like, what are you even talking about? You don’t even really fight. Until just now, Jon Jones wasn’t even eligible.”

Despite Jones saying he doesn’t consider Smith a top contender, “Lionheart” said he cares little for his opinion and that for him at least, it’s all about getting his hands on UFC gold.

“I think some of the things I say bother him, because I think it’s true,” Smith said. “I’m not one of these guys trying to build any animosity with Jon. I don’t give a s*** about Jon Jones. It’s about the title to me. Likely, he’s going to be the one that has it, I would guess, so he’s the one people ask the questions about.

“The things that bother Jon are when people ask me if I think he cheats. Yeah, I do. He’s failed a drug test. How can you argue that? He’s been suspended twice for use. I’m not the only one talking about Jon Jones. I don’t know what his deal is, but I honestly don’t give a f***.”

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