Jon Jones and Jiri Prochazka tweet short-but-sweet reactions to Jamahal Hill becoming new LHW champion
Former UFC light heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Jiri Prochazka have congratulated Jamahal Hill on becoming the new 205-pound king.
Jones uploaded a simple tweet congratulating 'Sweet Dreams' on his impressive victory at UFC 283.
Congratulations Hill! 🇺🇸
Prochazka posted a video on social media where he congratulated Hill and said he was coming for the light heavyweight belt.
A message to @JamahalH from @Jiri_BJP after #UFC283 👀 https://t.co/OCEeWilId7
Jon Jones reigned over the 205-pound division for years. The 35-year-old competed in 22 UFC fights and was victorious in 20 of them.
As the light heavyweight king, Jones defeated various prominent fighters like Lyoto Machida, Quinton Jackson, Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Smith, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Glover Teixeira and Thiago Santos.
'Bones' last fight at 205-pounds took place at UFC 247 where he successfully defended his title by defeating Dominick Reyes by unanimous decision. Jones later relinquished his title and announced a move up to heavyweight.
Jiri Prochazka captured the title at UFC 275 by defeating Glover Teixeira in a blood-and-guts war. 'Denisa' was supposed to defend the title in a rematch against Teixeira. Unfortunately, Prochazka suffered a shoulder injury and had to relinquish his title.
At UFC 283, Jamahal Hill went toe-to-toe with Glover Teixeira for the vacant title in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fight went the full 25-minute distance and ended with a unanimous decision victory for 'Sweet Dreams'. All three judges scored the contest 50-44 in favor of Hill.
Jon Jones is all set to fight for the UFC heavyweight title
Three years after his last fight as a light heavyweight, Jon Jones is ready to make his heavyweight debut in the UFC.
'Bones' will take on Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight championship at UFC 285 on March 4.
Earlier, there was talk of a superfight happening between Jones and Francis Ngannou. But due to contractual disputes, Ngannou parted ways with the UFC, leaving the heavyweight throne vacant.
In an interview with John Morgan of MMA Underground, 'Bones' admitted that a fight against the Cameroonian would have captured more people's attention:
“I feel like Francis is the more intimidating of the two. I feel like just as far as Americans go he’s more known in America. Francis was this big, scary, intimidating man, where Ciryl is relatively unknown... Obviously, Francis had the belt. Taking it from him would’ve been nice."
Catch Jon Jones' comments below (2:45):