Followers are clamouring for a large crossover combat between the 2 heavyweight champions of the cage and the ring.
After defeating Tyson Fury for a second time on Saturday night time, it seems that Oleksandr Usyk has achieved all he can within the boxing world. Earlier than turning skilled in 2013, he gained Olympic Gold on the 2012 London Video games, and has since turn out to be undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
In the meantime, Jon Jones within the UFC has additionally established a powerful legacy profitable the belts at light-heavyweight and heavyweight by way of a number of generations of the game. And there are viewers who consider {that a} combat between the pair may, or ought to, be subsequent.
Oleksandr Usyk credit Martial Arts coaching for boxing success
Throughout a bit of footage from a couple of years in the past, Oleksandr Usyk was noticed telling TV host and boxing knowledgeable Mario Lopez that he credit his expertise in different martial arts for his boxing motion. He has a few of the most spectacular footwork within the sport, and may get across the ring very fast for his measurement.
“It’s good,” he may very well be seen saying. “Our wrestling, our jiu-jitsu, Judo, sambo. Good mechanic. Your proper hips. It’s good punch. Flip it over. As a result of lots of people have solely arms. I’m enjoying Judo, Kickboxing.”
His motion was arguably what gained him his two fights towards Tyson Fury, who’s a significantly greater man and nearly actually the extra highly effective puncher. He was capable of keep at vary and even win the jab battle with a person half-a-foot taller and 55lb heavier on Saturday night time.
Jon Jones and Oleksandr Usyk dream combat has followers divided
After the outdated footage went viral from Lopez’s present, followers started to take a position about how he may do if he converted to the UFC. A variety of high MMA fighters have switched to the boxing ring, with little success except for Anderson Silva and Mike Perry, however boxers hardly ever go the opposite approach.
Traditionally James Toney tried and failed towards Randy Couture, whereas ladies’s boxers similar to Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall within the PFL have just lately given it a go. Nonetheless, what makes the potential of a Jones and Usyk bout so thrilling is Usyk’s seemingly detailed understanding of grappling.
Followers on X had been eager to see the pair doubtlessly match up, writing: “If Usyk was youthful, his ufc arc would’ve been miraculous.” One other added: “Think about if he accepted a ufc contract.”
Whereas Jones is a much less palatable matchup due to his model, different options included the likes of Tom Aspinall or Derrick Lewis. And the overall consensus appeared to be that if Usyk tried to combat Jones, he could be submitted shortly.
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