Opinion: Why UFC 235: Jones vs Smith will form the future of UFC for years to come

UFC 235: Jones vs Smith has finally rolled around.

The pay-per-view promises to be one of the biggest ones for UFC in 2019. The card is heavy with top fighters, with almost each and every fight being of immense interest.

UFC 235: The Main Card

The main event will see Jon Jones take on Anthony Smith in a UFC Light Heavyweight title in a match of epic proportions. Anthony Smith has long been underestimated but has fought his way up to gain this title shot.

The fight will mean everything to him, as this is make-or-break. However, the majority of the fans will be siding with Jon Jones -- and why not? The fighter is yet to be handed a defeat by decision or finish.

Jon Jones

His reign over the Light Heavyweight division is something that Jones plans to build on in the coming months and plans to fight far more often in the UFC, having just returned from suspension.

The co-main event will also see another huge title fight, as Tyron Woodley will defend the UFC Welterweight Championship for the 5th time. This time his opponent is the up-and-comer, Kamaru Usman.

Usman winning the fight could be huge for him and UFC as a whole, as he could easily headline the first-ever UFC event taking place in Africa. With UFC looking to expand further, this would certainly be an opportunity for everyone involved.

UFC 235: Woodley vs Usman

However, Woodley is no pushover, and he could easily retain yet again, denying those who have called him the 'worst' Champion without being able to point out any fault whatsoever.

Lower down the card lies yet another fight, one which the fans have had to wait for. Finally, the fighter who came into UFC as a trade instead of Demetrious Johnson will be able to showcase why he was worth the face of UFC's Flyweight Division.

Ben Askren will take on former Champion Robbie Lawler, in a fight where Askren desperately needs a win to make an immediate impact in UFC. Lawler will not make it easy for him, but Askren has everything lying on this fight.

Ben Askren: The Future of the UFC?

If he wins and makes the sort of entrance he wants, then UFC might well have another high-level star on their hands who can talk as well as he can fight.

The fights between Cody Garbrandt and Pedro Munhoz and the one between Tecia Torres and Weili Zhang round off an incredible main card.

What to watch out for on the UFC 235 Undercard?

The magician: Zabit Magomedsharipov

As if that were not enough, the undercard is stacked as well.

The two fights that stick out there are between Jeremy Stephens and undefeated fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov, and Johnny Walker and Misha Cirkunov.

Magomedsharipov has proved himself to be an incredible athlete, and if he can continue to pick up wins in the way that he has, it will only add to his growing legend. Defeating a fighter like Stephens is no small task, but if Zabit pulls it off, then the next fight might see him elevated to title eliminator fight status.

Johnny Walker is hungry to prove himself

Another newcomer to the UFC, Johnny Walker will also be hoping to make an impact. He already holds two first-round finishes, and his exciting in-ring fighting style has won him several fans. Facing Misha Cirkunov, he might take a while more, but if he can beat Cirkunov, he will have well and truly established himself in the UFC. He can then focus on growing his legacy and heading in the right direction.

Why watch UFC 235?

With all of these fights, each will have an impact of some sort on the coming years of UFC. Each fight might change the UFC for years to come, as it will see each fighter make their way to changing something about the world's leading fight promotion.

With that in mind, there is very little for the fans to do, except to brace themselves and get ready for the spectacle that UFC 235 promises to be.

Tune in to UFC 235 on Sony Six and Sony Six HD at 8:30 AM on 3rd March.

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