MMA News Roundup: Jon Jones' UFC return further delayed, reason behind Mark Zuckerberg's attendance revealed, Francis Ngannou jokes about next title defense
Welcome to today's edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest UFC updates and other stories from the world of mixed martial arts.
In today's issue, we talk about Jon Jones' potential return, the reason behind Mark Zuckerberg's presence at UFC Apex, and more.
#3. Jon Jones will not return this year
There were rumors of Jon Jones making his much-awaited octagon return at UFC 282 on December 10, 2022.
I just got word from one of my UFC insider plugs and wow UFC282 man the RETURN OF THE GREATEST MMA FIGHTER OF ALL TIME!!!! Is BACK!!! holyyyyy I gotta be there front row for that in Vegas
However, the booking of Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira 2 bumped that plan off the table. Damon Martin of MMA Fighting reported that the title rematch got held up despite being first reported in August because of Jones' potential heavyweight debut.
Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira 2 is official for #UFC282 - we first reported those plans in August. The holdup was the UFC potentially booking Jon Jones on the Dec. card but it appears that won't be happening now that Jiri vs. Glover 2 is finalized
mmafighting.com/2022/8/11/2330…
Jones had hinted earlier in August about making his comeback on the pay-per-view card and promised "pure domination" similar to his first light heavyweight bout. However, his former rival Chael Sonnen believes that 'Bones' hasn't done much other than "doing some pull-ups" and drinking protein powder in the last two years to get himself the right fight.
#2. Here's why Mark Zuckerberg was at UFC Vegas 61
Mark Zuckerberg has been the talk of the mixed martial arts town ever since he attended UFC Vegas 61 with his wife and Meta team for a private viewing. Turns out, he wasn't there to just watch his wife's favorite fighter Mackenzie Dern compete. He had business on mind after all.
On Thursday, the MMA organization announced a partnership with Zuckerberg's company to offer a virtual reality experience to fight fans for live and on-demand events. Users will require Meta's Horizon Worlds App and Meta Quest 2 headset to access the viewing.
Fight Pass vice president and general manager Crowley Sullivan put out a statement on the matter:
"We are excited to offer an unprecedented level of engagement for Fight Pass subscribers and MMA fans around the world by producing a live MMA event in virtual reality. With Meta providing the VR platform and YBVR lending their production expertise, we’re confident this will be a great experience for fight fans." [via MMA Fighting]
The first event under the new deal will be LFA 144 headlined by a bantamweight bout between Muin Gafurov and Diego Silva. The event will be produced in VR180, allowing users to experience a 180-degree panorama view.
#1. Francis Ngannou jokes about fighting Hasbulla in next title defense
Francis Ngannou has a tendency to turn his hulking size and immense power into dry humor. He has struck once again with a recent tweet, where he welcomed UFC's newest signee Hasbulla Magomedov.
In a statement that came across as a threat to the unsuspecting but reads as a hilarious joke to any MMA fan, Ngannou took to Twitter to pick Hasbulla as his next title defense.
I think I have my next title defense @Hasbulla_NFT https://t.co/2NPWYdn7uj
Hasbulla's response was on-brand too, as expected:
@francis_ngannou https://t.co/47wUYykmWO
The beloved internet sensation from Makhachkala, Dagestan, confirmed the rumors that he had been signed by the UFC. No details about his contract were revealed, but he thanked Dana White and Khabib Nurmagomedov for making his "dream a reality."
Islam Makhachev's coach Ali Abdelaziz confirmed a few days ago that Hasbulla will be present in the Dagestani's corner for the title fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.