UFC's Jon Jones Could 'Compete' With Best Boxers With 2 Years Training

Given the increase in cross-code fight callouts following the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight last year, Jon Jones is one who believes he can hang with the best in boxing, provided he gets at least two years to train in the sport.

Jones will return to action at UFC 232 in December when he takes on Alexander Gustafsson in a highly-anticipated rematch for the vacant light heavyweight title.

While it will be a big money fight for him as well as a chance to redeem himself following his failed drug test from last year, the real money these days seem to be in boxing, especially with McGregor making over nine-figures in his fight with Mayweather.

If Jones was to make a similar transition, he would ideally fight the likes of heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder. But unlike McGregor, he is more realistic as to what would happen.

“I would imagine he [Joshua] would have the upper hand big time,” Jones said recently, as quoted on MMANYTT. “He’s spent so much time throwing hands and that’s his passion.”

But that's not to say Jones will never have a chance. The 31-year-old is regarded by many as the most talented, if not greatest, fighter of all time in the UFC with the only loss on his 21-1-1 record coming from a disqualification.

He is also gifted with an 84-inch reach, notably more than the likes of Joshua and Wilder, and believes if he spends enough time in the sport, he could reach a level where he could compete with anyone.

“When I started doing MMA, I found myself in the UFC about nine months after my first practice so I’m aware that I have a mind for fighting,” Jones explained. “I have a lot of faith and confidence in myself."

“I believe that if I were to hire the right people to be around me, that’s maybe four boxing coaches. That’s what the guys at the highest levels [have]. Hire guys to come in here and we spend two years focusing on boxing and only boxing, I believe I’d be able to compete with the best in the world,” he said.

For now, he's focused on getting his UFC career back on track. A win over Gustafsson would see him in line to face heated rival Daniel Cormier for a third time, depending on how things play out.

Cormier was the previous light heavyweight champion but was stripped of his title so that UFC 232 had a big main event. He will, however, defend his heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis next month at UFC 230 and is expected to face Brock Lesnar in his last fight early next year should he get the win.

While he was previously open to a third fight with Jones, Cormier seems less interested these days.

"This [UFC 230] actually does nothing to it [retirement timeline]," Cormier said last week. "I think Brock and I will fight on the March pay-per-view... Fight Derrick and fight Lesnar, we're winding down. I could fight Jon Jones, I could definitely fight Jon Jones but am I supposed to allow Jon Jones to dictate to me when I can retire now?"