WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury recently disclosed that he came close to facing Jon Jones
The British heavyweight sensation is set to make his return to the ring in October. His return has been a topic of avid discussion since his last knockout victory over Derek Chisora in December.
Fury is currently set to take on Francis Ngannou, a former heavyweight champion who has long flirted with the idea of stepping into the boxing ring.
This Fall, combat sports enthusiasts will witness the colossal showdown between these two heavyweights in an ESPN pay-per-view event held in Saudi Arabia. But this match almost didn’t materialize. For an extended period, Fury hinted that he might face Jon Jones instead.
Jones is currently scheduled to compete against Stipe Miocic in October. While Tyson Fury ultimately chose Francis Ngannou as his next opponent, the possibility of facing Jon Jones was a topic of serious discussion.
In a recent candid interview with The Sun, Fury disclosed that he engaged in talks with the UFC about the potential bout. Also, Fury received an official contract from the UFC for the MMA bout.
He stated, “That’s 100 per cent true [that I received an offer to fight Jones]. I’ve had an offer from the UFC, from [WME] IMG, to fight Jon Jones. Frank Warren knows about it, my team knows about it. It’s still ongoing and we’re looking to move forward on that for sure. Me and Jon have even spoke about it. It’s definitely a real thing.”
While Tyson Fury’s proficiency in MMA might be in question, he does have some training under his belt. This gives him a measure of confidence as he contemplates a potential crossover.
In 2019, he notably trained with former UFC welterweight title contender Darren Till. In a video circulated online, Till adeptly held pads for Fury as he showcased his own striking prowess.