The former UFC heavyweight champion believes Khamzat Chimaev is unstoppable with the right mental attitude. <\/p>\n
Having done almost everything in the sport, including two division titles, landmark wins over the best fighters of a generation, and a career that has survived controversy, injury, and absence, Jon Jones<\/a>‘ statements surely carry some weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n And right now, \u2018Bones\u2019 believes Khamzat Chimaev\u2019s ceiling is still the top of the sport despite a championship loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jon Jones Praises Khamzat Chimaev<\/p>\n Jones was reminded of his previous claim that Chimaev could defeat heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall during a recent interview with AFL Global. The interviewer then asked him to name a fighter who can currently beat the Chechen-born star.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think Hamzat, if he walks into the room with the right mental attitude, could beat any fighter right now,\u201d Jones answered.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When asked who was better in his prime, him or Chimaev, Jones immediately responded, saying he was the best equipped with dynamic kickboxing, explosive wrestling, and strong\u00a0cardio. He said, \u201cI love Khamzat\u2026I was really good. My kickboxing is really dynamic. My wrestling is really explosive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy submissions are really strong, my cardio, my physical strength, my confidence. In my prime, I believe I was the absolute best for a reason,\u201d Jones added.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the 40-year-old stated that he is no longer at that level and admitted that Khamzat is a problem for anyone right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI’m not in my prime anymore. You know, I’m almost 40 years old now. And I’m comfortable saying that Khamzat, I mean, he’s a problem for anybody. I’m grateful to be his friend and his fan,\u201d Jones concluded.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jones Offered Chimaev Advice After His First MMA Loss<\/p>\n After staying undefeated for almost six years in the UFC<\/a>, \u2018Borz\u2019 tasted defeat at the hands of Sean Strickland in his first title defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n Strickland did enough with his striking to earn the nod from the judges at UFC<\/a> 328 in May 2026. Being a favorite in the lead-up to the bout, the loss came as a shock to many Chimaev fans, including Jones.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt was hard to see him lose; I was surprised,\u201d Jones admitted. But was quick to mention that one loss doesn\u2019t define a fighter’s legacy, especially for those with champion-caliber like Chimaev.<\/p>\n Reflecting on his UFC<\/a> 328 performance, Jones provided a blueprint for Chimaev on his road back. Seen as a fighter who is hard to take down, Chimaev got out-wrestled by Strickland. He couldn\u2019t get through Strickland\u2019s Philly shell guard and seemed gassed out in the further rounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Citing those mistakes, Jones said, \u201cI think when he got taken down, I think that was the main shift. If I was Khamzat, I would work on my weaknesses.”<\/p>\n He added, \u201cI would say maybe switching up your endurance routine and spend more time on your back\u2026 we don’t really see him on his back very often. So I would go back to the drawing board.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In a broader view, Jones stated that a talent like Chimaev doesn’t disappear after one loss. The loss either breaks them or sharpens them. And based on Chimaev\u2019s social media updates<\/a>, he appears firmly in preparations for his next fight.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n