It’s open season on newly crowned heavyweight champion Jon Jones, as fighters including Jon Jones and Mark Hunt have put “Bones” on blast. Darren Till, meanwhile, is looking for big money to consider trying his hand in the BKFC ring. That and more in this edition of the Sunday MMA Quick Hits!
Ngannou says Jon Jones is “not that guy,” would fight him “twice a month”
Following his comeback at UFC 285, which saw “Bones” capture the vacant UFC heavyweight title, Jon Jones proclaimed former champ Francis Ngannou a “big ol’ p*ssy,” speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press.
Now Ngannou, the man who vacated the title that Jones now holds, has answered back.
“We know Jon Jones with his drama. I think that Jon is being dramatic,” Ngannou told ESPN recently. “He’s been out for how long? Three years and something? And I’ve been calling him [out]. I remember even after I fought Stipe [Miocic], Dana [White, UFC President] said if he watched that fight, he should move down to 185. But I don’t take that seriously. There is not a fight on Earth that I would back down from. I don’t care. I go there and whatever happens, happens. It’s the sport. And definitely Jon Jones is not that guy. He might be the best fighter ever, but he’s not the guy that I’m running away from. No, not him. I would fight Jon Jones twice a month.”
The entire “X fighter is scared” has become a tired narrative in combat sports, and is mainly an excuse used by promotions and fighters to explain why they couldn’t make a fight happen — which usually boils down to money or other contract demands.
Darren Till wants big money to face Mike Perry in BKFC
Darren Till requested and was granted his UFC release recently, and has now addressed the prospect of him facing “Platinum” Mike Perry in bare-knuckle boxing’s BKFC.
England’s Till, who challenged Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title and later moved to middleweight, spoke to MMA Junkie this past week and expressed surprise at the sort of offers that were coming his way.
“The likes of boxing and BKFC and some of these are others (are options), if the money is right – and the offers I’ve been getting thrown at me have been a little bit crazy,” Till told MMA Junkie. “I didn’t know offers like that existed. I’m sure I could go in there and f*ck Mike Perry up, as we were meant to fight. Make a bit of money, get the body healthy, and whether the UFC like it or not, get back to the UFC. That’s still my main focus.”
It’s going to take big, big money to lure Till to BKFC, however.
“They’re going to approach me, but if they are going to approach me, don’t waste my time,” Till said. “Offer me something astronomical. Otherwise, nope. I don’t need it.”
Mark Hunt slams new UFC champ Jon Jones
Former UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt had plenty to say about the arrival of Jon Jones in his old division.
Mark Hunt is not a fan of Jonny Bones. #UFC #MMA #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/96nptSZVCR
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) March 8, 2023
“The UFC heavyweight champion of the world ladies and gentleman. There you have it, a cheating steroid rat who runs into pregnant women and runs off, a rat that hides under the octagon for 10 hours hiding from being tested for drugs. This is your UFC heavyweight champion, this is the rat you need to look up to. This is the rat we promote. Please be upstanding and raise your glass to a company that has zero credibility,” Hunt wrote on social media in the wake of Jones’ submission win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
“Worthless belt worthless champion and even more worthless rip off company. Any other sport this loser wouldn’t be here that’s why UFC have no credibility, because they promote this garbage.”
Head Kick KO Alert
LFA 154 went down Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and frankly exceeded expectations by a country mile. On a night full of finishes, however, this head kick KO by Kauê Fernandes stole the show.
That's one for the highlight reel! Wild head kick KO by Kauê Fernandes at #LFA154 pic.twitter.com/jXdxLFhgT7
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) March 11, 2023
Painful Kick KO Alert
This is downright painful to watch. For those wondering why MVP was awarded a KO and not a technical knockout for his leg kick finish of Goiti Yamauchi at Bellator 292, it’s because the kick left the Brazilian unable to continue, with no referee intervention required.
MVP with just one kick. Wishing Goiti a speedy recovery. #Bellator292 pic.twitter.com/496NhZ9ksq
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) March 11, 2023
MMA is a cruel mistress.
