Jon Jones, a former UFC heavyweight champion, was offered a bare-knuckle boxing match against MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko at Moscow’s Red Square. Jones said no, citing his UFC contract and deep respect for Emelianenko, one of his idols. The offer came from IBA Pro Boxing promoter Al Siesta on July 28, 2025, during Jones’ visit to Russia.
Jones’ Reason for Saying No
At an IBA bare-knuckle boxing event in Russia, promoter Al Siesta pitched the fight to Jones.
“I’m contractually obligated to the UFC for a very long time,” Jones said. “No one wants to see Fedor and I fight. I don’t want to fight Fedor. I absolutely love Fedor. He’s been one of my big idols for a very long time. It’s the same thing with Anderson Silva. These guys inspired me in my youth and that will never change.”
👀 @al_siesta has offered Jon Jones a fight at Russia’s iconic Red Square during the IBA Bare Knuckle event. pic.twitter.com/fdw3OwFT1x
— IBA.Pro (@iba_pro_boxing) July 28, 2025
Siesta suggested the Red Square fight as a big event. Jones, who retired in June 2025 after beating Stipe Miocic, declined due to his UFC contract and respect for Emelianenko. He has expressed interest in a UFC White House event in July 2026, but nothing is confirmed.
Jones, a 38-year-old from the United States, has a 28-1 MMA record with 1 no-contest. He won the UFC light heavyweight title in 2011, defending it eight times, and the heavyweight title in 2023 against Ciryl Gane. His only loss was a 2009 disqualification to Matt Hamill. He retired after knocking out Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024.
Emelianenko, a 48-year-old from Russia, has a 40-7 MMA record with 1 no-contest. He held the PRIDE heavyweight title from 2003 to 2007, beating fighters like Mirko Cro Cop and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. He never fought in the UFC due to contract disputes. His last fight was a TKO loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 290 in February 2023..
Jones started in regional promotions, joining the UFC in 2008 with a win over Andre Gusmao. His wrestling and striking beat stars like Daniel Cormier and Rashad Evans. Emelianenko began in RINGS in 2000, dominating PRIDE with sambo and knockouts from 2002 to 2007. He later fought in Strikeforce, M-1 Global, Rizin, and Bellator, retiring briefly after beating Quinton Jackson in 2019.
Jones wants to fight at a UFC White House event in 2026, but Dana White doubts he’ll follow through. Emelianenko faces a bare-knuckle callout from Andrei Arlovski. The Red Square fight is off, but both fighters’ plans keep the MMA world interested.
