Jones Challenges Mike Tyson To MMA Fight: ‘Promise I Won’t Break Anything’

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will seemingly stop at nothing to secure a well-deserved payday. This includes challenging former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson to a meeting inside of the Octagon.

Jones has been wrapped up in a nasty battle with UFC over his financial needs for the past two months. The pound-for-pound MMA legend has gone as far as offering up his light heavyweight title and subsequent release from the promotion if he isn’t paid what he’s worth. UFC president Dana White has claimed that Jones is asking for Deontay Wilder money, which is in the vicinity of $25 million, to move up in weight against Francis Ngannou. Jones has emphatically denied those claims.

As his options continue to thin and UFC remains unwilling to budge financially for one of its biggest stars, Jones has started to think outside of the box. So when Mike Tyson claimed that the only fight Jones can make “super money” for is a fight with “Iron Mike,” the UFC champ was quick to take the bait.

“A UFC (fighter) will never be richer than a first class (boxer). To make a hundred million dollars, Conor (McGregor) had to fight Floyd (Mayweather)! Even if he fights Jon Jones, he’s not going to get that,” Tyson said on a live chat. “Jon Jones gotta fight me to make some super money.”

Jones, who is willing to step away from fighting for a “year or two” until he gets what he wants, wasted little time responding to Tyson’s claim.

“@miketyson I’ll box you in the ring if you promise to give me a real fight in the octagon afterwards. And because I respect you so much, I promise I won’t break anything on you,” wrote Jones via Instagram.

When a fan asked Jones if he would be willing to fight Dominick Reyes in a rematch for his UFC light heavyweight title he responded by saying “Bro I’m trying to get paid. I’ve been beating no names for years.”

Obviously it is highly unlikely that Jones secures a fight with Tyson in any capacity moving forward. The 53-year-old Tyson did announce his plans to return to the boxing ring in the near future, but it’s crazy to think “Bones” and “Iron Mike” would every lock horns.

But what’s even crazier is the fact that Jones is now left to challenge Mike Tyson to a super fight in order to make his financial nut. Goes to show how serious these UFC pay grievances are starting to become.