Apr 26, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Joe Rogan interviews Jon Jones after the UFC light heavy weight championship fight against Glover Teixeria at Baltimore Arena. Jones retained the light heavy weight championship by defeating Teixeria.
Apr 26, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Joe Rogan interviews Jon Jones after the UFC light heavy weight championship fight against Glover Teixeria at Baltimore Arena. Jones retained the light heavy weight championship by defeating Teixeria. REUTERS

An impressive eighth consecutive title defence under his belt, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is eyeing the crème de la crème of the mixed martial arts world. After time and again being bombarded with criticisms that he is just outsizing his opponents, Jones is considering a move up in weight and fight reigning UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

The daring proclamation from the largely considered best pound-for-pound mixed martial arts fighter sets off the motion for his goal to be named the greatest fighter of all time. Jones has subdued naysayers with the latest victory over "Bad Blood" rival Daniel Cormier. He sees a move up in weight and vanquishing the equally talented Velasquez as the final piece to put him in the conversation of the best of all time.

"My plan is to become the greatest fighter of all time. It's so feasible. It's so attainable," Jones told FOX Sports. "All I've got to do is stay focused and keep believing just the way I believe and to keep working. I do believe 2015 will be the year I solidify it."

The response to fight Velasquez in a heartbeat is the right path for Jones. Cormier was supposed to tangle with the current heavyweight champion but opted a move down in weight to avoid his teammate at American Kickboxing Academy. Now, Jones has the chance to rub more salt to the wound as he is keen on disposing all members of the AKA one by one. Still, there are still a few fields to plough in the light heavyweight division including his originally slated opponent in Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson. Both fighters are tangling in Sweden and it is expected that whoever comes out on top will have first dibs on Jones.

The move up in weight to heavyweight is intriguing given how much flak Jones has gotten for his size over his opponents. While the current champion has skinny legs, it provides him the length and flexibility to keep opponents at arm's length. A move up in weight has long been in the discussion between him and UFC President but comes at the "right opponent at the right price" conversation. Jones is also scheduled to move to New Mexico from New York to shift his training from during pre-fight months to a year-long conditioning program in Albuquerque.

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