What happens when you throw Nate Diaz, Jake Shields, and Jon Jones into a chaotic reality show setting in Thailand? You get fireworks and not the good kind. The recent season of ‘ALF Reality’, which is modeled after The Ultimate Fighter, was set to bring together combat sports legends for a new spin on the classic format. But before cameras could even roll properly, the entire production crumbled under the weight of one explosive brawl. And somehow, Jon Jones found himself caught in the middle of the fan backlash.

According to a post on Instagram by ‘Inside Fighting, “Jake Shields has provided footage of himself getting jumped on the floor and the altercation that set things off between Nate Diaz and Russian Fighter Zalimkhan Yusupov, who is the same man Jon Jones was filmed riding on the back of a moped with through Thailand.”

In the series of videos accompanying the post, Jake Shields can be heard providing a breakdown of what exactly went down. He stated, “So here’s where they’re walking the fighters out. At this point, nothing too crazy had happened. They’ve walked out five or six fighters. Things were looking good. The fighters had fought each other, but nothing with us. So I was feeling a little chill.”

It all started when a Russian fighter named Zalimkhan Yusupov got in Nate Diaz’s face. At first, things seemed calm, fighters were getting introduced, and some posturing here and there. But when Yusupov confronted Diaz, calling himself a “gangster,” the Stockton fighter snapped. One slap. Then fists. Then full-blown chaos.

It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time Yusupov has tried to test a UFC fighter. As Shields explained in his breakdown, “This guy had choked out Aljamain Sterling, like an idiot.” According to Shields, the brawl wasn’t just fighter vs. fighter. He claims staff members and production crew also got involved. And despite being on the show as a co-coach, Jon Jones reportedly didn’t step into the melee himself.

By the time the dust settled, Diaz and his team had had enough. They packed their bags and flew back to California. And Jon Jones? He came under fire from the fandom as we take a look at what the netizens had to say about this wild incident!

Fans question Jon Jones’s actions as Nate Diaz and Jake Shields’ Thailand brawl leaves the MMA sphere stunned

One fan wrote, “Jones already got his next excuse ready.” For many fans, Jon Jones avoiding the mayhem mirrors what they see as a pattern, dodging tough spots both in and out of the cage. With the heavyweight title picture in limbo and Tom Aspinall calling his name, this incident gave critics more ammunition, as there is still no sign of a unification bout on the horizon!

Another fan joked, “Jon Jones out partying? No way.” This sarcastic jab calls back to ‘Bones’s long history with nightlife and controversy. As Shields explained in his breakdown, Yusupov, the man who instigated the brawl, had been there along with the UFC undisputed heavyweight champion when, “Jon Jones has been out partying or hanging out with the night before riding bikes together.”

As such, another fan asked, “Why didn’t Jon Jones defend his e-bike boy?” The recent viral video of Jones joyriding through Thailand with Yusupov resurfaced fast. The implication? Loyalty was already chosen, and it wasn’t to Diaz. What do you think?

“Evidence leads all the way back to TUF season 5, don’t play rough with Nate Diaz”, wrote another fan. As the MMA sphere is aware, the Stockton legend isn’t someone to be trifled with. In fact, back in 2024, another brawl had erupted between Team Diaz and members of Jorge Masvidal’s team ahead of their boxing match.  Referencing the Stockton native’s long history of not backing down, this fan clearly sided with Team Diaz in the Thailand scrap.

Finally, someone asked, “What was he even trying to accomplish?”. Whether directed at Yusupov for provoking Diaz or Jon Jones for staying neutral, fans felt the whole thing spiraled from bad planning and worse decisions.

In the end, whether he was caught off guard, choosing neutrality, or simply too cozy with the wrong crowd, fans weren’t buying any excuses from Jon Jones. His silence during the scuffle and connection to Yusupov only fueled the backlash, with many wondering if the undisputed heavyweight champ had once again dodged a bullet. What do you think? Should Jon Jones have backed up Nate Diaz and his team in the scuffle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!