The now apparently former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has offered a bounty to the men who come after him, saying that he will pay $100,000 to anyone who successfully defends the world title six times.
The offer comes after Jones announced in a series of tweets late on Monday that he was officially handing over his 205-pounds title and forecasting a move to heavyweight — but he laid down a gauntlet to the rest of the UFC’s light heavyweight roster to try and emulate (part of) his achievements.
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
“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,” Jones wrote. “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.”
In 2011, Jones became the youngest UFC champion in history when he defeated Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua for the UFC title. He subsequently defended the belt eight times before being stripped after he was involved in a hit and run incident some years later. He would regain an interim version of the belt claiming it once again by knocking Alexander Gustafsson out in late 2018.
He also had a title win against Daniel Cormier scrubbed out after failing a drug test following the fight.
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
Jones’ next move, he says, will most likely come at heavyweight — potentially leaving a fight between top light heavyweight contenders Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz as being a candidate to establish a new champion at 205-pounds.
The switch to heavyweight — if and when it comes — opens up a new range of opponents for Jones, and you would have to think that the UFC are licking their lips at the prospect of him facing the winner of the mooted Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou world title rematch which has been speculated as taking place later this year.
