Jon Jones was one of the million who tuned in to watch the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 25 years be crowned last night.
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in a razor-close split decision that saw him drop the undefeated Brit in a stunning come-from-behind victory. But many felt he could have warranted a stoppage with his performance, particularly as his rival appeared on shaky legs following a thudding knockdown.
Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury in undisputed heavyweight title fight
After years of build-up between the two parties, Fury and Usyk finally met in Riyadh last night with their WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine belts on the line. The Kingdom had even put together their own ‘undisputed’ belt, with the winner becoming the first to hold that title since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
Jon Jones questions ninth round refereeing decision as Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury
Legendary UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones was one of the many MMA fighters making their opinions known about the fight throughout. The American seemed to believe that Fury was winning until the eighth, which saw the momentum swing in favour of Usyk.
And while he didn’t continue live tweeting after the tenth, Jones did question whether or not referee Mark Nelson made the right call to allow Fury to get back to his corner. Oleksandr Usyk had wobbled him in a major way, and there was an argument to be made that Nelson could have stepped in and called the fight.
After tweeting “Wow, what a huge round eight for Usyk,” Jones then asked his followers “Should that have been stopped?” He then added: “Wow, if Fury can come back from that round nine!?”
Jones has previously entertained a crossover fight with Fury, although his predecessor Francis Ngannou ended up actually getting the assignment last October. His heated rival and interim champion Tom Aspinall is a close friend and former sparring partner of the former champion.
UFC champions and MMA stars react to Oleksandr Usyk beating Tyson Fury
Jones wasn’t the only UFC champion who was watching, with legendary ex-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski tweeting to his followers “So good to watch! Who you got?” He then added that the “Knock down seals the deal. Can’t wait for the rematch!”
Conor McGregor did proclaim “what a round” after the sixth, but remained quiet after the bout. However, he did pay tribute to the event’s host; His Excellency Turki Al-Shikh, writing: “Incredible scenes coming from out of Saudi Arabia again this evening! See you guys soon @Turki_alalshikh! Incredible!”
Outside of the top tier players in the sport, Misfits Boxing champion and former Bellator star Anthony Taylor made his opinion on the non-finish clear, adding: “That’s bs the fight should have been stopped!” Meanwhile, top featherweight Arnold Allen said: “Great fight, good decision too.”