Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has shared his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev’s high praise, offering a heartfelt response to the unbeaten star’s words. Despite having retired from competition earlier this year, Jones remains one of the most respected names in mixed martial arts, and Chimaev’s admiration hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Mutual respect between two UFC powerhouses
Jones and Khamzat Chimaev are considered among the most dominant fighters in UFC history, each with a reputation for dismantling world-class opponents. While Jones shocked the MMA community by announcing his retirement in June, Chimaev has been on a meteoric rise, heading into UFC 319 as a heavy favorite to capture the middleweight title from Dricus du Plessis.
Although Chimaev once boldly claimed he could beat Jones if they ever fought, his respect for the former champion runs deep. In a 2022 appearance on The Triple C & Schmo Show, Chimaev reflected on Jones’ legendary career.
“Jon Jones, of course, nobody is like him. He beats the monsters. I did all my training with Alexander Gustafsson; I know how good he is. And if Jon Jones could stop that guy, it’s scary,” Chimaev said.
“[Daniel Cormier], he has pressure, good wrestling and boxing, and he has a mentality of just pressure the fighters. And Jones stopped that guy as well. If he stays in the game, he has to be the pound-for-pound number one.”
Jon Jones’ grateful response
Jones, speaking to Red Corner MMA, made it clear that Khamzat Chimaev’s praise didn’t go unnoticed.
“That’s a huge compliment coming from Khamzat, I’m a big fan of Khamzat,” Jon Jones said.
“I don’t think he has any reason to toot my horn or even be humble, he doesn’t have to be. I mean, heavyweights fear him, and the fact that he has so much respect for me really means a lot. It says a lot about his character, his humility, to compliment someone in such a huge way. So I’m very grateful and honored.”
Khamzat Chimaev’s rise continues
Heading into UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev remains unbeaten in his MMA career, with notable victories over Robert Whittaker, Gilbert Burns, and Kamaru Usman. His relentless fighting style and ability to dominate elite opponents have positioned him as one of the UFC’s most feared competitors.
What’s Next for Jones?
While Jon Jones’ retirement shocked fans, speculation is growing about a potential return. Having recently re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool, many believe the legendary champion could step back into the Octagon sooner rather than later.
For now, Jones and Chimaev remain separated by weight class and career trajectories—but their mutual admiration highlights the sportsmanship and respect that still exist at the highest levels of MMA.