In a surprising twist that captured the attention of sports fans, NBA player James Johnson has boldly asserted that he could defeat Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight legend, in an MMA fight. However, Johnson, who is currently 36 years old and stands at an imposing 6’8”, acknowledged that he would need one critical element to level the playing field: a year to improve his takedown defense skills.

Johnson’s Combat Sports Background

While the idea of a professional basketball player challenging one of MMA’s most dominant athletes might seem far-fetched, Johnson does bring some fighting credentials to the table. According to Johnson, he amassed an undefeated 20-0 record in kickboxing before making a brief transition into mixed martial arts, where he claims another perfect 7-0 record. Despite these impressive claims, skepticism remains high, as there is no verifiable evidence or footage of these bouts, leaving his records purely anecdotal.

In addition, Johnson states that he holds a black belt in karate and has been immersed in combat sports since his childhood. He suggests that his lifetime of striking experience could prove advantageous against a predominantly grappling-based fighter like Jones, but concedes that Jon Jones’ wrestling expertise presents a formidable challenge.

Johnson’s Take on the Hypothetical Matchup

In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Johnson laid out his belief that he could beat Jon Jones, but only if he manages to prevent Jones from taking the fight to the ground. Johnson emphasized his striking pedigree, saying:

“I think I could beat him for real. But like I said, with a year of training defense. I just need ground defense.”

He elaborated further, pointing to his lifelong experience with striking as a potential advantage:

“He started learning how to use your hands and your feet, what? After college? Like, I’ve been punching and kicking since I was five or six years old. The same thing for me though is the opposite for him because he’s been wrestling for that long learning all these wrestling moves and things like that for that long. For me, I started learning the wrestling game and all that in middle school. The Jiu-Jitsu.”

Reality Check

While Johnson’s confidence is admirable, his statements should be taken with a grain of salt. The absence of verified fight records casts doubt on the extent of his combat sports achievements, and the idea of competing with someone of Jones’ caliber remains a monumental task. For Johnson to make his dream matchup a reality, stepping into the cage against a verified professional opponent would be a necessary first step.

Nevertheless, the conversation surrounding Johnson’s comments has fueled an intriguing “what-if” scenario, leaving fans to ponder the outcome of a clash between two athletes from vastly different worlds. While it may be a long shot, Johnson’s belief in himself exemplifies the bravado and bold ambitions that make for great sports narratives.