UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently emerged victorious at the ESPY Awards. He was honored with the prestigious title of UFC Fighter of the Year. After the event, he joyously celebrated at an afterparty, playfully engaging in shadowboxing with Zach Edey, the 7’4 Purdue standout, and reenacting a memorable photo.
During the event, Jon Jones also had the privilege of meeting the legendary boxer, Mike Tyson. They took the opportunity to capture a few cherished moments in photographs. The ESPY Awards also known as Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly. It is an esteemed annual event that pays tribute to outstanding athletes and remarkable sports achievements throughout the year. Jon Jones finally secured his first ESPY award in 2023. Prior to this, he was nominated on four previous occasions.
Jon Jones’ immense talent and achievements in the sport are undeniable. However, his win at the ESPYs has sparked some controversy on social media. Some argue that other athletes, such as Islam Makhachev or Amanda Nunes, may have been more deserving of the award. The arguments accredit their extraordinary accomplishments and more active participation than Jones.
Jon Jones took a long three-year hiatus as the UFC light-heavyweight champion. He vacated the spot and made his comeback at UFC 285. Jones and title contender Ciryl Gane headlined the main event of the Heavyweight title fight. Jones made quick work of Gane and captured the UFC Heavyweight top spot, in his debut fight in the division.
Jones Jones speaks on winning the ESPY Awards 2023
In response to the discussions surrounding his ESPY win, Jon Jones took to social media to convey a heartfelt message. His caption read, “I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote for me. I also wanted to thank the #ESPYS for giving my friends and I an experience of a lifetime. It was simply unforgettable.”
In the words of Chael Sonnen, “…In sport ESPY is king. To be nominated truly is a great honor…”. Many people have spoken about whether or not Jon Jones deserved to be on that list. Daniel Cormier spoke about it on his show on ESPN. “I just don’t know if one fight in the year…puts you in that position,” Cormier said.
However, the reality is Jones has bagged the ESPYs this year. 2023 has been quite eventful for ‘Bones’, considering his heavyweight title win, dispute with Tyson Fury, and now winning the accolade of the UFC Fighter of the Year. What remains is to see how the rest of the year plays out for the UFC Heavyweight Champion.