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Corey Anderson -125 Favorite to Be Jon Jones’ Next Opponent

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Mar 30, 2021 · 12:58 PM PDT

Jon Jones goes through his pre-fight routine in the ring before a light heavyweight mixed martial arts bout against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
  • Jon Jones defended his belt against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247
  • Reyes called for a rematch but will he get it?
  • Corey Anderson battles Jan Blachowicz this weekend in a number one contender fight

For the second fight in a row, Jon Jones narrowly defended his light heavyweight title.

In the main event of UFC 247, “Bones” defended his belt by unanimous decision over Dominick Reyes, but many including UFC president Dana White thought the challenger won. After the fight, Reyes called for a rematch and Jones and White seemed interested in it. But, sportsbooks released odds where they favor Corey Anderson to be Jon Jones’ next opponent.

Odds for Jon Jones’ Next Opponent After UFC 247

Fighter Odds
Corey Anderson -125
Jan Blachowicz +275
Dominick Reyes +350
Stipe Miocic +800
Daniel Cormier +1200
Israel Adesanya +1400
Francis Ngannou +1400
Brock Lesnar +2200

Odds taken Feb. 10

Who Is Worth Betting?

Jon Jones has options for his next title fight, as the move to heavyweight is always a possibility but right now there are more viable options at light heavyweight.

Jones has also been reluctant to move up to heavyweight and I don’t think he will move up after this fight, so that rules out Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou and Brock Lesnar.

Right now, I think Corey Anderson is the best bet as it will come down to who wins between Anderson and Blachowicz, as Blachowicz even told me he was told by the UFC that he gets a title shot if he beats Anderson. In that fight, I favor Anderson to get it done by using his wrestling to grind out a decision win or TKO win.

Anderson has also been getting under Jones’ skin as he has been calling him out. So the rivalry is there to be Jones’ next opponent after UFC 247.

Pick: Corey Anderson (-125)

Are Any Longshots Worth Betting?

Although I favor Corey Anderson, there are two underdogs worth taking a look at and that is Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes.

Although I believe Anderson will defeat Blachowicz again, if the Pole can get it done, he would be the one getting the title shot and at +275 odds it may be worth a shot.

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As for Dominick Reyes, the rematch only makes sense if Anderson and Blachowicz have a boring fight and the winner doesn’t have an entertaining performance than I expect fans to call for the rematch.

Jones has even said he wants his next opponent to be the toughest challenge possible.

“It’s my job to embrace the toughest challenges. That’s what a champion is being about. I fought Daniel Cormier twice, I had no problem signing the contract. I fought Alexander Gustafsson twice and had no problem signing the contract,” Jones said after UFC 247. “If the people want to see me fight Dominick again, it’s going to be up to Dana White to find a way to make that happen.”

If Anderson or Blachowicz put on a bad performance, there is no question that Jones’ toughest challenge would be the rematch against Dominick Reyes.

As for Israel Adesanya, “The Last Stylebender” has to fight Yoel Romero at UFC 248. He will then have to get past the likes of Paulo Costa, Jared Cannonier, and Darren Till. He has also said the scrap against Jones won’t happen until 2021. So, it is a three-horse race between Anderson, Blachowicz, and Reyes as who will fight Jon Jones next.

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