Jon Jones fulfilled Khabib Nurmagomedov's dad's prophecy by becoming UFC heavyweight champion last weekend.
UFC superstar Jones returned to the cage after three years away and choked out Cyril Gane in the first round at UFC 285 to become heavyweight champion. Jones is now a two-weight champion, making the switch successfully having reigned as light-heavyweight champion before his hiatus from the octagon.
'Bones' appears to have solidified his place with the majority of fans as the greatest fighter to have ever graced the promotion, given his only UFC defeat has come in disqualification against Matt Hamill. And Nurmagomedov's late father Abdulmanap insisted six years ago that the American has unmatched talent.
"Jon Jones got his talent from God, not from Greg Jackson [Jones' coach]," he predicted during an interview in 2016 when asked about the new two-division king. "Greg Jackson is a good striking coach. Don't confuse those two things. Jon Jones is No.1 out of all fighters. Maybe not in terms of behaviour or the law or anything else. I'm confident that he will wipe out the top-five heavyweights. That's my expert opinion."
Jones has had unprecedented success in the cage which began when he became the youngest champion in the promotion's history aged 23 by beating Mauricio Rua. He continued his reign at light-heavyweight, where records continued to tumble including for the most title defences, most wins and longest win streak.
Now the 36-year-old is the heavyweight champion and has practically accomplished it all in the cage, with it now remaining to be seen how long he remains in the game. Originally Jones was set to face UFC star Francis Ngannou but the Cameroon star was unable to agree a new deal and stepped away from the promotion, giving up his belt.
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However with Ngannou out of the picture, it is likely Jones could face new challenges from former champion Stipe Miocic and Sergei Pavlovich. UFC president Dana White has confirmed the next opportunity will likely come for Miocic, who is raring to touch gloves with the new conqueror.
"I don't know when, but he's definitely fighting Stipe," White said. "Can anybody deny this guy is the goat anymore? Not only is he is the greatest light-heavyweight ever but he also looks like the greatest heavyweight ever too. The guy is unf****ng believable, he seriously is. There is no doubt Jon Jones is special, he's fought all the best competition out there."
Jones then added on the potential fight: "Stipe Miocic, I hope you're training, my guy. You're the greatest heavyweight of all-time, and that's what I want. I want you — real bad."
