Jon Jones has gotten word of Chuck Liddell’s plans to return and fight him, and he now issues a response.
On Monday, Chuck Liddell announced that he would be coming out of retirement at 48 years of age. Specifically, the former UFC light heavyweight champion and Hall-of-Fame inductee is planning to make a return sometime in November and fight either in either Las Vegas or California.
To make things more interesting, “The Iceman” is eventually targeting a fight against one of the best and meanest fighters of this generation.
Chuck Liddell: “To be honest, in my mind, I’d like to fight two good warm-up fights then I’d like a shot at Jon Jones. I’m serious. I’d like a shot at him.” #themmahour
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 14, 2018
Jones, who is currently sidelined with seemingly a lot of time in his hands, immediately got word of Liddell’s intent to fight him. Of course, he made sure to issue a response, like always.
Old Chuck has been calling me out for years! I get it, I hold pretty much every record in the division. I normally try to respect my elders but if you want it come get it. Id literally fly you out to Albuquerque this weekend.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 14, 2018
The first response seemed a bit cordial, but it would not be a Jon Jones tweet thread without a slight dig thrown at a potential opponent.
You might want to test the strength of that jaw before you take a bite you cant chew
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 14, 2018
Liddell has not exactly been the durable fighter that he once was during his early years as the UFC 205-pound champion. He lost all of his last three fights by knockout, against fighters who do not hold the same age and athleticism advantage as Jones.
He last fought at UFC 115 in June 2010, where he was knocked out by Rich Franklin in the first round, subsequently sending him to retirement at the behest of UFC president Dana White. He was given a “job for life” with the promotion, but the sale to WME-IMG in 2016 changed things and Chuck got cut.