Jones predal naslov, Reyes vs. Blachowicz, AJ se vrača

Kontroverzni, a zelo uspešni MMA borec Jon Jones (26-1-1), ki je prejšnji mesec dopolnil 33 let, je še do včeraj nosil naziv UFC prvaka v pol-težki kategoriji. Nato pa je preko noči sporočil na svojem Twitter profilu, da se naslovu, ki ga je praktično branil vse od marca 2011 (vmes ga je izgubil zgolj zaradi padcov na testih za prepovedane snovi, ter problemov z zakonom v zasebnem življenju) odreka, ter da bo najverjetneje odšel v kategorijo višje. Vse pa bo odvisno od njegove plače v prihodnje, kar je jabolko spora med Jonesom in UFC že precej časa…

Just got off the phone with @Ufc, today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere thank you to all my competition, Ufc and most importantly you fans.

— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020

Just had a really positive conversation with @Ufc. Sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at heavy weight. All good news, the weight gaining process begins.

— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020

First light heavyweight to win six championships in a row I’ll pay $100,000 to whatever charity of their liking. I’ll be waiting

— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020

Was going to challenge a light heavyweight to beat my world championship record but we all know that’s probably not happening in this lifetime.

— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020

It would’ve been fun but have you seen the size of the guys in my family? I really do believe putting on a little extra weight is going to bring out my true genetic/athletic potential. https://t.co/K7G7bwhZZR

— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020

Za izpraznjen prestol v kategoriji do 93 kilogramov se bosta najverjetneje na UFC: 253 26 septembra v Abu Dhabiju, kjer bo glavna borba večera nestrpno pričakovana obramba naslova v srednji kategoriji med prvakom Novozelandcem Israelom Adesanyo (19-0) in izzivalcem Brazilcem Paulom Costo (13-0), pomerila Jonesov zadnji nasprotnik Dominick Reyes (12-1) in poljski veteran Jan Blachowicz (26-8). Turnir zaenkrat izgleda tako:

UFC Prvak v Srednji kategoriji Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa

Za izpraznjen naslov v UFC Pol-Težki kategoriji: Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz

Bantam: Marion Reneau vs. Ketlen Vieira
Mušja: Kai Kara-France vs. Brandon Royval
Papirna: Claudia Gadelha vs. Yan Xiaonan
Peresna: Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
Bantam: Sarah Alpar vs. Jessica-Rose Clark
Bantam: Randy Costa vs. Journey Newson
Peresna: Mirsad Bektić vs. Eduardo Garagorri

Calm before the ⛈️ #LegendaryPolishPower pic.twitter.com/GaNqnPt4HM

— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) August 17, 2020

I'll catch you later JB https://t.co/C9ZpNgmUMS

— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) August 17, 2020

Much more excited for Bones Jones to fight at HWT than Light Heavy. Give him Derek Lewis 1st then title shot.

— Funky (@Benaskren) August 18, 2020

So DC retires the same week Jon Jones announces he’s vacating the UFC light heavyweight title, huh? As Seth Bullock would say, that’s a turn of events.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) August 17, 2020

And to be honest, it just feels like he's already done everything at 205 pounds. Not much excitement in any potential matchups there.

UFC needs to pay one of their greatest champs and get him to fight the big boys. Jon Jones heavyweight contender sounds fun and feels fresh.

— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) August 17, 2020

@JonnyBones 🙌🏾 #bossmoves 👌🏾

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) August 17, 2020

pic.twitter.com/FRrTY4RpMG

— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) August 17, 2020

Svojo vrnitev v pol-težko kategorijo pa je uradno najavil tudi 36-letni Anthony Johnson 22-6), ki se je nazadnje boril v oktagonu aprila 2017, ko je še drugič neuspešno naskakoval naslov proti nedavno upokojenemu Danielu Cormierju (22-3). Johnson je že vstopil v proces testiranja pod okriljem USADA-e, kar bo trajalo šest mesecev, nakar se bo popularni AJ lahko dogovarjal z največjo MMA organizacijo o potencialnih nasprotnikih.