Tyson Fury is gearing up for his return to the boxing ring in October, ending his hiatus since defeating Derek Chisora last December. His opponent will be none other than former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis ‘The Predator’ Ngannou.

This high-profile clash is set to headline an ESPN PPV card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and it almost didn’t happen, making the bout confirmation a relief for fight fans. However, Fury’s recent comments have sparked a response from MMA legend Jon Jones, causing a stir in the combat sports community.

Jon Jones calls out Tyson Fury for his limited combat arsenal in MMA

Jon Jones is slated to defend his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in October, but he’s also expressed interest in facing Tyson Fury. Fury made a statement on FirstTake about a potential matchup with Jones, confidently declaring, “When I get this fight won, I’m looking to fight big, big stars. Next on the list is Jon Jones. And I’m going to kick his ass.”

Jones swiftly replied on his Instagram story with the caption, “When did @tysonfury learn how to kick?”

These exchanges followed Fury’s revelation in an interview with The Sun that he had discussions with the UFC regarding a potential fight with Jon Jones. He confirmed receiving an offer from the UFC and WME IMG and informed his promoter, Frank Warren, and his team about it. They are actively exploring this opportunity.

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However, Fury’s immediate challenge is about going toe-to-toe with Francis Ngannou, an incredibly daunting task. The outcome of his bout with Ngannou will likely determine the feasibility of a matchup with Jon Jones. The combat sports world is no stranger to high-level boxers crossing into mixed martial arts. But the boxers have experienced mixed results.

A brief look at boxers and crossover MMA fights

In 2009, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia faced former boxing heavyweight champion Ray Mercer in an MMA bout. Sylvia was the heavy favorite due to his height and octagon experience, but Mercer shocked everyone with a vicious right overhand that knocked Sylvia out in the first round.

Similarly, multi-division boxing world champion James Toney made his MMA debut against UFC legend Randy Couture a year later. Couture quickly capitalized on his wrestling skills, taking Toney down and submitting him in the first round. Toney’s striking prowess was nullified, highlighting the challenges boxers face when transitioning to MMA.

As the eagerly awaited Ngannou vs. Fury fight approaches, the question of whether Fury will venture into the cage to face Jon Jones remains uncertain. Based on past crossovers, history doesn’t favor boxers in MMA. Share your thoughts in the comments below: Do you believe the Fury vs. Jones fight will come to fruition? And who holds the advantage in an MMA bout between the two?

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