TLDR
- Jon Jones visited Chechnya, Russia, where he recently purchased property and attended celebrations for Ramzan Kadyrov’s son’s 18th birthday
- Jones and UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev engaged in a street grappling session caught on video
- Chimaev successfully took down Jones during the exchange, which Jones later confirmed was legitimate
- Jones ran away from cameras after the takedown, repeatedly shouting “no” to spectators filming the incident
- According to witnesses, Jones agreed to a potential fight after someone offered money for a match between the two fighters
Jon Jones Confirms Legitimate Takedown by Khamzat Chimaev During Russia Visit
Jon Jones traveled to Chechnya, Russia, where he has recently purchased property. The former UFC heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion attended celebrations for the 18th birthday of Ramzan Kadyrov’s son, the head of the Chechen Republic.
During his visit, Jones participated in various activities including shooting exotic weapons like an RPG. He described the hospitality as exceptional, stating he “ate like a king” during his time there.
Jones met up with UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, who was born in the Chechen Republic but currently fights out of the United Arab Emirates. The two fighters decided to test their skills in an impromptu grappling session on the street.
Video footage captured the exchange between the two champions. Both fighters were dressed in regular clothes for the cold Russian weather when they engaged in the brief wrestling match.
The Takedown Incident
Chimaev managed to take Jones to the ground during their exchange. Rizvan Edilsultanov, an amateur photographer present at the scene, documented the moment and shared it on social media.
After the takedown, Jones ran away from the cameras. He repeatedly shouted “no” and asked people not to film the incident.
When a fan questioned whether the takedown was legitimate, Jones confirmed it on social media. “Yeah, that takedown was legit,” Jones wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Jones explained the circumstances of the exchange. “[Chimaev] is in tremendous shape, and there was only so much I could do on that concrete,” he said.
Jones Praises Chimaev
The American fighter spoke positively about Chimaev following their meeting. “Khamzat is a real n**** fosho,” Jones posted as the footage circulated online.
Jones praised both Chimaev’s physical condition and character. “We were able to have a great dinner together, he seemed so humble, focused, and driven,” he wrote.
The UFC legend also expressed gratitude for the hospitality. “What a great host, I’ll never forget my time in Chechnya,” Jones stated.
Potential Future Match
According to Edilsultanov’s social media post, Jones was not satisfied with the outcome of their street session. The photographer described Jones as unable to settle with the “defeat” from the brief exchange.
Someone at the scene offered money for an official fight between the two champions. According to the witness account, Jones immediately agreed to the proposal.
The exchange happened while Jones continues preparations for his return to competition. Chimaev recently won the UFC middleweight championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis.
Jones is preparing to sign what he described as a “major ambassador” deal in Russia. The visit to Chechnya appears to be part of his expanding international business interests.
