Tony Ferguson recently recounted a close wrestling match against Jon Jones during their college years, sharing that he was narrowly defeated by the former UFC heavyweight champion. This revelation about the Jon Jones Tony Ferguson wrestling clash sheds light on a lesser-known chapter in their athletic histories.
Jon Jones earned the national junior college wrestling championship in 2006 while competing for Iowa Central Community College, whereas Tony Ferguson was an NCAA champion at the 165-pound level around the same time. Despite the size difference, Ferguson explained that he almost triumphed over Jones, which has intrigued fans and the wider MMA community.
Details of the Near Victory in College Wrestling
Ferguson described how he competed above his normal weight class during this encounter:
”I wrestled John Jones in college. I lost by one point. I bumped up two weight classes. I went because our 184 pounder got hurt. And I was 100, I won nationals at 165. I jumped up two weight classes and I was weighing in at 175 pounds and wrestling these guys cutting from 200 to 185. And I took third at nationals that year.” —Tony Ferguson, MMA Fighter
He added further context to this tough match, highlighting the friendly rivalry they maintain:
”And I wrestled John Jones at the Cliff Keen National Duels and I lost by one fu*king point. Almost beat him. So every time we talk to each other we always mess around he grabbed my glasses one time, he says, ‘you won’t get these back.’ I said, ‘you wanna wrestle?.’ He said, ‘nah, nah, here you go.”’ —Tony Ferguson, MMA Fighter
The Ongoing Relationship and MMA Career Updates
Ferguson’s recent comments came while he was hosting the ‘Reels Fighting’ tournament with Hype FC in Thailand. Despite his eight-fight losing streak in UFC, Ferguson signed with Global Fight League earlier this year, although his anticipated showdown with Dillon Danis was canceled due to financial issues. Currently, Ferguson is training for an upcoming boxing match.
On the other hand, Jon Jones retired recently as UFC’s heavyweight champion, stepping away without defending his title against then-interim champion Tom Aspinall. Their wrestling past adds an intriguing layer to their rivalry and individual legacies in combat sports.
Jon Jones’ Surprised Reaction to Tony Ferguson’s Callout
At one point, Ferguson issued a public challenge to Jones, referencing their earlier wrestling bout. This sparked a surprising response from Jones, who appeared caught off guard by the confrontation on social media.
”Wait, when did this beef start?!? I thought we were cool!! You over there feeling suicidal Tony?” —Jon Jones, Former UFC Champion
Jones later retracted his words, apologizing for the phrase after receiving backlash from MMA fans worldwide. This exchange reflects the tense but complex dynamic between two prominent fighters who once battled on the wrestling mat.
Their nearly forgotten wrestling encounter reveals the fierce competitiveness and mutual respect beneath the surface of their storied careers. It also emphasizes how early athletic conflicts can resurface with intensity in professional arenas, impacting fan perceptions and fighter legacies alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was disclosed that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These compounds are present in Tadalafil, a medication for erectile dysfunction, which Jones admitted to using.
Q. Why did Jon Jones have surgery?
A. Neil S. ElAttrache in California performed surgery to smooth out bone spurs in Jones’s left elbow. In October, Jones also had an operation on a torn pectoral tendon, which is expected to prevent him from playing during the first half of 2024. According to Jones, recovering from the bone spur procedure will take about 10 weeks and shouldn’t change his current timeline for returning.