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MMAjunkie Radio co-host and MMAjunkie contributor Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC 235.

UFC 235 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass.

Jon Jones (23-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC)

Staple info:

• Height: 6’4″ Age: 31 Weight: 205 lbs. Reach: 84″
• Last fight: Knockout win over Alexander Gustafsson (Dec. 29, 2018)
• Camp: Jackson-Wink MMA (New Mexico)
• Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ UFC light-heavyweight champion
+ JUCO national wrestling title
+ 10 KO victories
+ 6 submission wins
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ Creative and dynamic striker
^ Preternatural instincts and improv
+ Effectively dictates range
^ Teep kicks, oblique kicks, hand posts
+ Deceptively effective inside clinch
^ Superb hand-fighting /grip disruption
+ Multiple takedown tools
+ Devastating ground striker
+ Always looks to secure rounds

Anthony Smith (30-13 MMA, 7-3 UFC)

Staple info:

• Height: 6’4″ Age: 30 Weight: 205 lbs. Reach: 76″
• Last fight: Submission win over Volkan Oezdemir(Oct. 27, 2018)
• Camp: Factory-X Muay Thai (Nebraska/Colorado)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai
• Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Amateur MMA accolades
+ 17 KO victories
+ 11 submission wins
+ 17 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Well-rounded muay Thai arsenal
^ Effective at multiple ranges
+ Excellent clinch striker
^ Devastating knees and elbows
+ Underrated grappling ability
^ Uses frame/transitions well
+/-Only seen scorecards 3 times in 44 fights

Point of interest: Eight limbs in action

The main event in Las Vegas features a light heavyweight title fight between two fighters who love to exercise all eight of the proverbial striking limbs.

An experienced fighter for being just 30, Anthony Smith embraces more of a traditional muay Thai arsenal, bringing a well-rounded skillset of violence to the table. Carrying a menacing feel to the way in which he marches down his opposition, Smith is capable of making pressure his friend, using it to fuel his forward assaults.

Despite his long reach and frame, the Nebraska native does a deceptively good job at changing his ranges on strikes mid-stroke or combination, following fleeing opponents when appropriate. Favoring to fight on the inside, Smith keeps an array of unforgiving elbows and knees at the ready, especially when going into or off of clinch breaks.

The 30-year-old fighter from the midwest has also shown an improved jab in recent outings, using it to either set up or disrupt offense. That said, defense has not typically been Smith’s strong suit, and he will most certainly need to mind everything from his striking patterns to retractions when stepping up to the plate against Jon Jones.

Though blessed with some solid athletic genetics, it is Jones’ almost-unflinching computing of striking exchanges that has impressed me most, particularly in recent years.

Seldom will you see the champion throw the same sequence of strikes within the same minute or even round – unless, that is, he is trying to set you up or walk you into something. And being one of the most tride and true stance switchers in MMA, Jones can exercises a plethora of options available to him to help further these agendas.

Whether he his hiding behind hand posts or disrupting his opponent’s approach with oblique kicks and other leg assaults, Jones is clearly not shy when it comes to utilizing his length. However, I would also argue that Jones has proven that he is not reliant on it either.

Not only does Jones have the aforementioned-abilities to navigate exchanges, but he has also seemingly made leaps in his boxing ability, helping shore up a range that most of his opponents risk life and limb to maintain. Even against the breakneck pressure that Daniel Cormier brought to their second meeting, Jones was able to pivot or shift his way into counter punches like never before in his career.

That said, Jones has also experienced his hardest shots when shifting or working within this range, which is what will make these stanzas the most exciting between him and Smith on paper.

Next point of interest: Grappling warfare