Jon Jones has been working towards his heavyweight debut, but it has not come without criticism.
The UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion was last in action at UFC 247 in February 2020, where he recorded a unanimous decision title defense over Dominick Reyes. Ever since, he has been working towards a new challenge by taking on the heavyweight division.
Jones has not rushed the process, but some fans are apparently growing restless. UFC president Dana White recently stated that Jones is “ready to go” and expects him to fight current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou or former champ Stipe Miocic. White also stated he is a “huge believer” in ring rust, and despite his issues away from the cage, the UFC boss categorized Jones as the best of all time.
In a recent video posted to Instagram, a heavyweight-bound Jones showed off some striking combinations with his long-time striking coach Brandon Gibson. However, the footage was met with mixed reaction, as some felt Jones’ speed may have taken a dip.
Check out how Jones responded to critics of his striking and the timeline of his return below: