Jon Jones says he will be the consensus GOAT if he wins four fights in 2019

Bloodyelbow.com

Jon Jones thinks he can put to rest any greatest of all time talk by the end of the year.

The UFC light heavyweight champion said he believes he will be considered the consensus greatest MMA fighter of all time if he wins four fights, including his upcoming title defense against Anthony Smith, in 2019.

Watch UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith! This event includes the following Main Card fights: Jones vs Smith, Woodley vs Usman, Lawler vs Askren, Torres vs Zhang and Garbrandt vs Munhoz. Sat., March 02, 9:30 PM ET Buy Pay-Per-View Now

“I don’t think you can argue it,” Jones told MMA Fighting at UFC 235 media day on Wednesday. “I think the argument would be just over.”

Jones, who meets Smith on Saturday in his first title defense since recapturing the 205-pound belt last year, is already considered one of the best to ever do it. But there are several fighters — including Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Daniel Cormier, Demetrious Johnson, and Jose Aldo — whom fans feel should also be in the conversation for greatest of all time.

Most would say there is no clear answer — right now, anyway — when it comes to the GOAT. But Jones believes that will all end soon enough — and perhaps it already should have.

“Where I’m at right now, it’s hard to debate,” Jones said. “Resume-wise, I just don’t think anyone’s been able to fight the level of competition that I’ve fought. And it’s not these guys’ fault. Demetrious Johnson, for example — it’s not his fault he doesn’t have legends in his division. But I did have legends in my division, and I beat them all — at a very young age at that. And I continue to do it, 10 years into it.”

Jones vs. Smith is set to headline the UFC 235 pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “Bones” won back the light heavyweight title with a third-round TKO of Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232 last December. Jones hadn’t fought since a July 2017 no-contest versus Cormier before the Gustafsson rematch.

Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title serves as the event’s co-headliner.