The retirement from competitive activity announced in the middle of last year does not seem to be the final chapter in the American athlete's career. The former champion of the heavyweight category of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Jon Jones, has once again captured the attention of combat sports analysts after analyzing a potential crossover confrontation against the current world heavyweight boxing champion, the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
Speculation about this commitment increased after the European boxer expressed his interest in holding an exhibition duel before finalizing his retirement in the United States.
In that sense, Jon Jones' statements open a new perspective on the real conditions under which a lawsuit could develop between the highest leaders of their respective disciplines.
The conditioning for a confrontation with Usyk
During a detailed conversation with the specialized magazine The Ring, the mixed martial arts fighter, Jon Jones, directly ruled out the possibility of entering a ring under the traditional rules of paid boxing.
The athlete argued that limiting his physical capabilities to the exclusive use of his fists does not agree with his combat style, although he left the door open for a lawsuit where other contact techniques are allowed.
"No, I'm not interested. Not at all. I'll pass. Usyk is Usyk, man. He's one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time," the American fighter declared to The Ring when evaluating the challenge of facing the Ukrainian. However, the 38-year-old athlete qualified his position by suggesting a different scenario: "If you want to test all your combat skills, I will gladly support you. But limiting myself by using only my fists, that is not my style," the fighter pointed out in this way, demanding reciprocity regarding the space of the fight by pointing out that Usyk "should respect me in the cage."
Contractual situation with the UFC and relationship with Dana White
Regarding his contractual status with the promotion company, Jon Jones clarified that he remains enrolled in the organization's anti-doping control program, which forces the company to present him with combat options regularly on the sports calendar. Despite having maintained administrative differences in recent months due to his exclusion from certain cards, the athlete ruled out having personal differences with the brand's directors.
In his dialogue with The Ring, the former heavyweight champion detailed the commercial nature of his relationship with the president of the organization, Dana White, prioritizing financial benefit over emotional evaluations. "To do great business, you can't hold a grudge. You have to leave the past behind. I've made Dana millions of dollars over the years, and vice versa," he explained regarding the deal with the manager to ensure future joint billboards.
