Jon Jones apparently does not need the UFC heavyweight title to see himself as the champion.
Jones seemed ready for an anticlimactic end to his MMA career after a less than memorable regime as a heavyweight king. The light heavyweight legend retired under a cloud of controversy in June, but that decision seems to have been short -lived.
After Dana White revealed that Jones had left the title and had left the sport, the criticism of avoiding a unified fight with Tom Aspinall only increased. And 'Bones' came, among other things, after the announcement of Donald Trump's UFC Witte Huis after the announcement of Donald Trump's retirement only a few weeks later.
Whether or not Jones is really competing is still to be seen, but in the meantime the 38-year-old will be busy with the Achthoek.
'UFC Heavyweight Champion' Jon Jones arrives in Moscow for the bare event
Since his only heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic, Jones has completed a number of side quests away from the cage.
This included seminars in Thailand-where Jones was set to coach against Nate Diaz at an Ultimate Fighter-style Russian reality show before a fight led to that it was blown off and appearance to promote dirt boxing.
Subsequently, Moscow is on the travel route of the resident of Rochester, where he had recently touched an appearance on the IBA Bare Knuckle Fight Card on 26 July.
“What is guys, this is UFC Heavyweight Champion of the world, Jon Jones,” he said in a video posted by Red Corner MMA.
“I'm here in Moscow to the Iba Bare Knuckle tomorrow in Live Arena … Let's go, honey.”
Fans quickly correct Jon Jones after UFC Heavyweight Champ Claim
Part of Jones's video did not surprisingly caught the attention of fans.
Much appeared in the commentary section to remind 'bones' that he gave the right to call himself the UFC heavyweight champion when he avoided a unified fight with Aspinall and chose to retire instead.
“Why does he still call himself the HW champion?”
“Former*”
“Ex HW Champion*”
“Yes, he was shamelessly passed by. Even it is no longer worth talking about him.”
“Why does he still call himself the heavyweight champion? That clown has already run away. He is not a champion.”
“Former champion.”