Fans are clamoring for a huge crossover fight between the two heavyweight champions of the cage and the ring.
After beating Tyson Fury for the second time on Saturday night, it looks like Oleksandr Usyk has done everything he can in the boxing world. Before turning pro in 2013, he won Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games and has since gone undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Meanwhile, in the UFC, Jon Jones has also built an impressive legacy, winning the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles across multiple generations of the sport. And there are viewers who believe a fight between the pair could or should be next.
Oleksandr Usyk credits martial arts training for boxing success
During a piece of footage from a few years ago, Oleksandr Usyk was seen telling TV host and boxing expert Mario Lopez that he credits his experience in other martial arts for his boxing move. He has the most impressive footwork in the sport and can get through the ring very quickly for his size.
“It's okay,” you could see him say. “Our wrestling, our jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo. Good mechanic. Your right hips. It's a good hit. Turn it around. Because many people only have hands. I do judo and kickboxing.”
His movement was perhaps what won him his two fights against Tyson Fury, who is a significantly bigger man and almost certainly the more powerful puncher. He was able to stay within range on Saturday evening and even win the jab battle with a man half a meter taller and 25 kg heavier.
Jon Jones and Oleksandr Usyk's dream fight has divided fans
After old footage from Lopez's show went viral, fans started speculating about how he would do if he moved on to the UFC. A number of top MMA fighters have transitioned to the boxing ring, with little success aside from Anderson Silva and Mike Perry, but boxers rarely go the other way.
Historically, James Toney has tried and failed against Randy Couture, while women's boxers like Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall in the PFL have tried recently. What makes the potential of a Jones vs. Usyk fight so exciting, however, is Usyk's seemingly detailed understanding of wrestling.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Fans on Another added: “Imagine if he accepted a UFC contract.”
While Jones is a less palatable fit due to his style, other suggestions included Tom Aspinall or Derrick Lewis. And the general consensus seemed to be that if Usyk tried to fight Jones, he would be quickly submitted.
Related posts
Comments