There’s a new contender in town for the ‘the baddest man on the planet’. Well, he’s not exactly new on the block, but he’s definitely new in Jon Jones’ eyes. Who is this new threat to the UFC heavyweight champion, you ask? It’s none other than the #1 light heavyweight contender from Dagestan, Magomed Ankalaev. While the light heavyweight contender is busy chasing a fight with divisional champ Alex Pereira, he’s also apparently set his sights on the greatest champion in UFC history. Not only that, but Ankalaev used a peculiar word to describe both the men he seeks to take down in his sights.

Fans were taken aback when top-ranked light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev recently stated, “The desserts are both very tasty,” referring to Alex Pereira and Jon Jones when he was asked about facing either of them. However, fans were skeptical and didn’t believe it would happen anytime soon. Ankalaev also confirmed he would choose Pereira, emphasizing that they are in the same weight class, saying, “I would choose him.”

But today, Magomed Ankalaev reversed his statement. He clarified his position, explaining his future ambitions in an interview with ‘Ushatayka’ on YouTube. When asked if he would consider transitioning to heavyweight, Ankalaev initially hesitated but eventually acknowledged the possibility, stating, “If I’m able to become a champion, I will be a champion. As I keep progressing, it’s all about rising and improving. If everything continues to go well, I will keep moving up and fighting at the top of the division.”

While it looks like Ankalaev is razor-focused on winning the belt in his division with his latest words, name-dropping Jon Jones (on more than one occasion) suggests an inclination to perhaps test himself against the heavyweight behemoth. Furthermore, Magomed Ankalaev has taken shots at Jon Jones prior to his ‘desserts’ comment. Despite being in separate weight classes, Jon Jones has become a sore subject for Ankalaev. The reason is clear: the matchup between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones continues to build, throwing a wrench in Ankalaev’s bid for the title.

However, Jones’ involvement could complicate his plans. Ankalaev didn’t shy away from calling out Jon Jones, reminding him that his division is stacked with fighters like Tom Aspinall. Teasing Jones with a tweet, Ankalaev wrote: “Sounds like someone is scared of big Tom.“, followed by “Jones doesn’t want to fight Aspinall, Pereira is recovering and I’m hungry. I will beat Pereira and after that I can beat Jones”. Jon Jones, however, fired back with a reply asking Magomed Ankalaev not to be ‘jealous’, and to ‘train more and hate less’. While this back-and-forth has been a spectacle to watch, it is unlikely that UFC head honcho Dana White will make that fight a reality. So, what is in Jon Jones’ future then? Let’s find out.

Jon Jones hinted at his big plans for 2025

Despite a legendary 16-year MMA career that saw him dominate two divisions, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has faced criticism from certain quarters. As he approaches the final chapter of his career, Jones isn’t focused on adding more accolades, but rather on securing high-profile matchups against top-tier opponents, such as Alex Pereira, who is now seen as the UFC’s new face.

However, Jones is under significant pressure from UFC president Dana White to unify the titles in a bout against Tom Aspinall, who has been waiting for this unification fight since last year. Caught between a lucrative, high-profile fight and his boss’s orders, Jones recently hinted at his future, suggesting that he has only “one or two more” fights left in his career. Speaking to The Schmo, Jones revealed: “Right now, the UFC and I are in negotiations. We’re talking about what happens next… There is [a dollar amount in mind], but I’m not going to discuss that publicly. We’ll just have to wait and see… I will be competing in 2025, more than likely.”

Jon Jones will most likely fight Tom Aspinall if the numbers are right, or Alex Pereira if Dana White allows it. But in an alternate reality, how would the matchup between Jon Jones and Magomed Ankalaev shape up? Would ‘Bones’ be able to exert his dominance or would Ankalaev bring a force the heavyweight champion has never seen before? Let s know in the comments down below.