Jon Jones gave MVP MMA 1 a huge public co-sign after Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano in 17 seconds, and he did not soften the UFC comparison.
In a clip shared by IFN from Most Valuable Promotions’ Instagram, the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion praised the production around MVP’s MMA event and said it stacked up above the promotion where he built his career.
“I thought the MVP promotion was absolutely unbelievable,” Jones said. “I think it was actually better than the UFC and everything.”
Here’s the source clip:
‼️ Jon Jones says the MVP MMA promotion was actually better than the UFC 👀🤝
[Via – @MostVpromotions’ IG] pic.twitter.com/y4SDqbCduA
— IFN (@IfnBoxing) May 17, 2026
Jones pointed to the event setup when explaining why it stood out.
“I’ve never been at such a promotion,” Jones said. “I mean, they had the fog machines and TVs absolutely everywhere. Great fighters.”
That is a bold line from Jones, especially after he recently said a Francis Ngannou fight would require a UFC contract exit and an MVP deal. Jones has been openly connected to the MVP MMA conversation, and now he is praising the promotion’s first major MMA presentation while comparing it directly to the UFC.
Jon Jones Praises Ronda Rousey After 17-Second Finish
Jones was also asked about Rousey’s fast takedown and finish against Carano. He said the fight played out the way he expected.
“Ronda did absolutely unbelievable,” Jones said. “She did exactly how I thought she would do. Won in less than a minute. I think it was 17 seconds.”
Jones then credited Rousey’s grappling base for the quick result.
“And I predicted it,” Jones said. “I mean, her judo and her jujitsu, I mean, she’s put so many years into it.”
Rousey’s win gave MVP MMA 1 one of its biggest talking points, while Jones’ reaction added another layer to the story. MVP already had Francis Ngannou knocking out Philipe Lins on the same event cycle, and Jones’ name keeps hovering near the promotion because of the Ngannou fight talk.
The UFC remains the dominant MMA company by every practical measure, but Jones calling MVP MMA’s presentation “actually better than the UFC” is exactly the kind of line that keeps this new promotion in the news.
