Jon Jones, widely recognized as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, currently faces an unusual challenge from NBA player James Johnson. The Indiana Pacers forward boldly declared his confidence in beating the UFC champion, stirring laughter and disbelief across the MMA community in mid-2025. This unexpected claim has added an odd twist to the brewing tension surrounding Jones’s upcoming heavyweight title unification fight against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Jones, who became the youngest UFC titleholder at just 23 years old, has since dominated the cage, securing both light heavyweight and undisputed heavyweight championships. Throughout his 29 professional bouts, he has never been submitted or knocked out, confirming his status as a formidable force in mixed martial arts. Yet, while Jones prepares for his awaited bout with Aspinall, James Johnson’s challenge has captured widespread attention for its sheer audacity.
James Johnson’s Controversial Claims Spark Reactions from MMA Insiders and Fans
James Johnson stunned many when he claimed an undefeated 27-0 combined record in MMA and kickboxing, insisting he could defeat Jon Jones despite never having fought professionally under widely recognized leagues. This assertion first surfaced in 2023 but regained traction after SportsCenter posted it on Instagram, prompting a flurry of reactions on social media and within the UFC community.
On an episode of The OGs podcast featuring NBA legends Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, Johnson defended his stance:
“I truly, truly believe that… I’ve been doing this my whole life. Like, real training would really be for that groundwork. As far as standing up in a fight, I feel like I got an advantage.”
—James Johnson, Indiana Pacers Forward
Johnson cited lifelong experience with striking and suggested that as long as he kept the fight standing, he would prevail. Despite these bold declarations, there is no verifiable footage or official records to back up Johnson’s claimed fight history. The supposed victories, including 20 kickboxing wins and 7 MMA wins, cannot be found in professional fight databases.
The MMA community met these claims with humor and skepticism. UFC president Dana White responded with a Charlie Murphy laughing GIF from Chappelle’s Show, underlining the surreal nature of the challenge. Commentator Laura Sanko joined in the amusement with a famous laugh from Will Ferrell’s Anchorman, while Dan Lambert, founder of American Top Team, sarcastically commented:
“And Jones would win a game of horse.”
—Dan Lambert, Founder of American Top Team
Despite the mockery, Johnson has remained consistent in his confidence since first airing these views. On the NBA Rookie Life podcast in 2023, he said:
“Like, I’ve been punching and kicking since I was five, six years-old. The opposite for him because he’s been wrestling for that long. Learning all his wrestling moves. As long as I can keep him from going on the floor, I win.”
—James Johnson, Indiana Pacers Forward
Yet the question remains: how realistic is this claim against a fighter of Jones’s caliber? Even Olympic-level wrestlers, like Daniel Cormier, struggled to keep Jones on his feet during their bouts, underscoring the difficulty of avoiding the ground game where Jones excels. Thus, Johnson’s chances, even with his size and striking background, appear slim against the reigning UFC legend.
Jon Jones’s Ongoing Title Battle Overshadows Unusual Challenge
While Johnson’s challenge has generated buzz, Jon Jones’s primary focus remains the delayed heavyweight title unification fight against Tom Aspinall. Jones has faced criticism for the prolonged postponement of this crucial bout, which has frustrated fans and fighters alike. The division is growing restless, and public pressure is mounting for Jones to defend his championship or relinquish his belt.
Alexander Volkanovski Criticizes Jones’s Inactivity and Calls for Championship Responsibility
Within the UFC, respected fighters are openly voicing their frustration with Jones’s inactivity. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski tackled the issue candidly during a conversation with Mike Perry on the Overdogs podcast. Volkanovski emphasized the duty of champions to remain active and defend their titles, expressing impatience with the situation.
“If you’re the champ, you defend your belt — it’s a responsibility. You can’t just sit out.”
—Alexander Volkanovski, UFC Featherweight Champion
Since Jones’s dominant victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, he has not fought again, with speculation about potential retirement swirling. Nearly 200,000 fans have even signed a petition urging the UFC to strip Jones of the belt due to inactivity. Volkanovski made his position on the matter clear:
“You need to be reasonably active. You need to fight whoever’s there. If you’ve got an interim champ, that’s a no-brainer. Don’t hold up the division. I know your résumé is incredible. You’re considered the greatest of all time. So if you don’t want to fight, just retire, you’re done.”
—Alexander Volkanovski, UFC Featherweight Champion
The chorus of demand for Jones to either defend his title or step aside is growing louder among fighters and fans. The longer the delay continues, the greater the tension within the UFC community.
Wider Impact of Johnson’s Challenge and Jones’s Future in UFC
Although James Johnson’s improbable challenge sparked a wave of dismissal and humor, it has also highlighted a deeper debate about Jon Jones’s current standing in the sport. The fantasy match-up with a basketball player is a distraction from the very real issues surrounding Jones’s championship reign. With figures like Alexander Volkanovski demanding accountability, Jones faces mounting pressure to clarify his intentions.
Fans and analysts now look toward Jones’s next move, whether he will finally meet Tom Aspinall in the Octagon or opt to retire. The division’s future depends heavily on this decision, as the prestige and momentum of the heavyweight title hang in the balance. Meanwhile, the NBA star’s claims remain a curiosity within this turbulent moment for one of MMA’s most celebrated champions.