Jon Jones evidently doesn’t need the UFC heavyweight title in his possession to see himself as the champion.
Jones looked set for an anticlimactic end to his MMA career after a less-than-memorable reign as heavyweight king. The light heavyweight legend retired under a cloud of controversy in June, but that decision appears to have been short-lived.
After Dana White revealed Jones had vacated the title and exited the sport, criticism for avoiding a unification fight with Tom Aspinall only increased. And ‘Bones’ came under more flak after Donald Trump’s UFC White House announcement saw him reverse his retirement just weeks later.
Whether or not Jones actually competes again remains to be seen, but in the meantime, the 38-year-old is keeping himself busy away from the Octagon.
‘UFC heavyweight champion’ Jon Jones arrives in Moscow for bare-knuckle event
Since his one and only heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic, Jones has been completing a number of side quests away from the cage.
That has included seminars in Thailand — where Jones was set to coach against Nate Diaz on a The Ultimate Fighter-style Russian reality show before a brawl led to that being called off — and appearances to promote Dirty Boxing.
Next on the Rochester native’s travel itinerary is Moscow, where he recently touched down ahead of an appearance at the IBA Bare Knuckle fight card on July 26.
“What’s up guys, this is UFC heavyweight champion of the world, Jon Jones,” he said in a video posted by Red Corner MMA.
“I am here in Moscow attending the IBA Bare Knuckle tomorrow at Live Arena…let’s go, baby.”
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Fans quickly correct Jon Jones after UFC heavyweight champ claim
One part of Jones’ video unsurprisingly attracted fans’ attention.
Plenty appeared in the comments section to remind ‘Bones’ that he gave up the right to call himself the UFC heavyweight champion when he avoided a unification fight with Aspinall and chose to retire instead.
“Why does he still refer to himself as the HW champ?”
“Former*”
“Ex HW champion*”
“Yeah, he has gone past shameless. Not even worth talking about him anymore.”
“Why is he still calling himself the heavyweight champ? That clown already ran away. He’s no champion.”
“Former champion.”