UFC legend Jon Jones weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev and Ilia Topuria’s shocking title fight losses and what they need to change.
Two of the UFC’s best pound-for-pound combatants, Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev, suffered their first career defeats just a few weeks apart. Topuria lost the undisputed UFC lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, just weeks after Chimaev lost a narrow decision to Sean Strickland to relinquish the middleweight belt at UFC 328.
Topuria and Chimaev could potentially earn immediate rematches later this year, depending on what the UFC matchmakers decide to do with both divisions. Chimaev has called for an immediate rematch with Strickland despite initially announcing a move to light heavyweight.
While former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones never lost during his career, except for a controversial DQ defeat to Matt Hamill, he understands what it takes to bounce back from trials and tribulations. Jones believes Topuria and Chimaev need to make some changes as they attempt redemption.
Jon Jones consoles Khamzat Chimaev and Ilia Topuria after shocking upsets
In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Jones was asked about how Topuria can get back on track after losing to Gaethje.
“When you become a UFC champion, you become more famous right away. Get invited to dinners, the girls, money, all these new friends. And there’s just so much that gets thrown at you,” Jones said of Topuria.
“Ilia’s going to be in a good position – he has faith, a strong team, and that’s a lot of what it takes. He has the work ethic, and he’s also honest with himself. We share the same agent, and what I heard is that he’s humbled and that he’s honest. He realizes he just didn’t perform well – and that’s the number one step of getting back into the [Octagon] in a healthy way.
“It’s the guys who make excuses – it’s hard to come back and win that rematch,” Jones continued. “Honesty with yourself is the key, and knowing exactly who you are, what you’ve done, and what you haven’t done.”
Jones was then asked about Chimaev’s shocking defeat to Strickland and gave him some interesting advice when it comes to the elite middleweight’s grappling.
“I think when Khamzat got taken down, I think that was the main shift. When he was down and on his back, I feel like that was the main shift; he’s not used to being in that position,” Jones said of Chimaev.
“He’s usually the dominant one. And I think being down and on his back, somewhere in his mind, it took him out of the fight. I’d work on my weaknesses…I’d switch up your endurance routine to something different and spend more time on your back. That way in the future – you’re just so comfortable being there…you can throw up some submissions.
“Khamzat is a great kicker, boxer, and wrestler, especially when he puts you in that body lock,” Jones continued. “But we don’t really see him on his back very often, so I’d go back to the drawing board and be comfortable on your back with a strong Jiu-Jitsu game.”
Will Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev become UFC champions again in 2027? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!