03 May 2023 , 09:43
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Jon Jones blocked UFC heavyweight rival Tai Tuivasa on social media after the contender "judged" his character.
'Bones' had a lengthy period away from the spotlight having not competed for over two years in the octagon following his light-heavyweight title defence against Dominick Reyes in 2020. However he returned to the cage in sensational fashion choking out Cyril Gane in one round of his heavyweight debut to conquer a second weight class.
It is unclear what is in the immediate future for Jones who could be challenged by the likes of Stipe Miocic and Tuivasa if he is to remain in action. And the 35-year-old has admitted that a fight on his rival's turf would appeal to him if the opportunity came to fruition before he retires. Yeah, I blocked Tai Tuivasa," he said in a Q&A with Sporting News when discussing his feud with Tuivasa.
"He was talking trash publicly in some interviews, he was judging my character and I ended up writing him something privately, saying something like, good luck with your alcohol company or something like that, enjoy the beers and he’s like, let me know if you need a beer, I don't know, something weird.
"It was just all weird and I just blocked him and kept moving forward. I would love that. I would love that. I think it would be really cool to run into Tai, have a shoey with him and let bygones be bygones.”
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Tuivasa's criticism of Jones came last year after the pair shared an exchange in direct messages, which saw the Australian later hit out at the American prior to his UFC title win. “I’ve said it many times before and I stand by what I said, I think Jon Jones is the best fighter to ever fight,” Tuivasa said last year. “Just how he fights. How he fights, he is probably the best fighter to ever step foot in the cage.
Jon Jones is not a fan of Tai Tuivasa (AP)Would you like to see Jon Jones face Tai Tuivasa? Let us know in the comments section below
“But is he a d***head? Yes, I think he’s a d***head. And will I fight him? Yes. Will he fight me? I think he would because he’s fought everyone and anyone. He’s one of the greatest to do it, but I’d love to fight him. Not for anything else, just for the same reason I like to fight all these people who have made names.”
Jones is now expected to be challenged by Miocic in a final hoorah for the American later this year, with the champion teasing it could be his final outing. Tuivasa may now also struggle to reach a title shot after losing to prospect Sergei Pavlovich which will now see him needing to rebuild.