Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, is named the ESPY Fighter of the Year for 2023. ‘Bones’ made a triumphant return to the octagon earlier this year, winning the heavyweight championship with a first-round stoppage over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
In a video posted by a popular Instagram handle, FullViolence, Jon Jones was seen mocking Alexander Volkanovski‘s dance. Jones referred to a time when Volkanovski was asked to dance and he started shadow boxing.
This was the first time when Alexander Volkanovski had come face to face with the heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Alexander also recounted when he once fought on the same fight card as Jones. Jon was pleased to meet the current featherweight champ and stated it felt like he ‘knew him already’.
UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings were released recently. Alexander Vollkanovski and Jon Jones tied up for the Men’s pound-for-pound ranks at #1. In a healthy conversation after the viral mock dance by Jon Jones was over, Jones pointed out the rankings.
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“I feel like I know you already. Hey! we’re tied (#1 P4P)” stated Jones. “We’re tied, who does that? we’re two. haha i don’t like that. Pleasure. Man, it’s so good to see you.” he added later.
Jon Jones’ controversial ESPY win
Jones was awarded the ESPY Fighter of the Year 2023. The heavyweight champion defeated fellow titleholders Leon Edwards, Islam Makhachev, and Amanda Nunes, who just retired.
Jones is receiving his first ESPY after previously being nominated four times in the now-defunct Best Fighter category, which featured both boxers and MMA fighters. He came up short in three fights against Floyd Mayweather and once against Manny Pacquiao.
Although Jones’ accomplishments in 2023 are admirable, many felt the former light heavyweight champ does not deserve the respected title, with many pointing out that there are fighters better deserving of the honor.
Daniel Cormier clearly disagrees with Jon Jones achieving the ESPY Fighter of the Year award. When word of ‘Bones’ nomination for the award first broke, ‘DC’ had some disagreeable thoughts to offer.
The former two-division champion stated on his YouTube channel that ‘Bones’ is possibly more worthy of another ESPY Award than the Fighter of the Year. “I don’t think he should win the Fighter of the Year [but] I do think he should walk away with an ESPY for the Comeback Player of the Year.” Stated Cormier.
The pound-for-pound rankings are likely to change after the UFC Fight Night this Saturday, notably in the women’s bantamweight category, following: “Holm vs. Bueno Silva” mixed martial arts (MMA) event on ESPN and ESPN+ (July 15, 2023) at APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.