MMA: Jon Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, has been named the 2023 UFC Fighter of the Year at the ESPYs. However, the announcement has not been well-received by the MMA community, with many fans taking to Twitter to criticize the decision. One fan tweeted, “He had 3 minutes of cage time, what the f**k?” Another fan suggested that Alexander Volkanovski or Leon Edwards should have won the award instead.
Jon Jones Facing Criticism
Despite the criticism, Jones is no stranger to the ESPYs. He has been nominated four times in the now-defunct Best Fighter category, which included both boxers and MMA fighters.
This year, there was no denying Jones the award following his triumphant return to competition at UFC 285 in March. After a three-year hiatus, Jones stepped up to the heavyweight division and claimed the vacant title with a dominant first-round submission of Ciryl Gane.
Jones’ win at UFC 285 was impressive, but some fans argue that it was not enough to earn him the Fighter of the Year award. They point to the fact that he only had three minutes of cage time in 2023, compared to fighters like Volkanovski and Edwards, who had multiple wins and impressive performances throughout the year.
Despite the criticism, Jones is undoubtedly one of the greatest fighters of all time. He holds the record for the most title defenses in UFC light heavyweight history, and he has victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, including Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Rampage Jackson.
Jones’ win at the ESPYs is a testament to his legacy, but it also highlights the subjectivity of awards in combat sports. While some fans may disagree with the decision, there is no denying that Jones’ return to the Octagon was one of the most significant moments in MMA history.
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