It was unveiled that Jon Jones emerged victorious as the recipient of the prestigious ESPY for the 2023 UFC Fighter of the Year.
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In a thrilling revelation during the UFC 290 broadcast, it was unveiled that Jon Jones emerged victorious as the recipient of the prestigious ESPY for the 2023 UFC Fighter of the Year. The renowned heavyweight champion triumphed over other esteemed titleholders, including Leon Edwards, Islam Makhachev, and the recently retired Amanda Nunes.
Securing his inaugural ESPY win, Jon Jones celebrated his first-ever victory in the esteemed awards. While he had been nominated on four occasions in the now-discontinued Best Fighter category, which encompassed both boxers and MMA fighters, Jones had previously come up short against Floyd Mayweather three times and once against Manny Pacquiao.
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After a triumphant comeback at UFC 285 in March, Jon Jones left no room for doubt this year. Making his highly anticipated return to the octagon after a hiatus of over three years, the former light heavyweight champion showcased his dominance by swiftly securing a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane, earning him the vacant heavyweight title.
Set to be held on July 12 in Los Angeles, the 2023 ESPY awards ceremony is eagerly anticipated. Jon Jones, in addition to his UFC Fighter of the Year win, has received another nomination for Best Comeback Athlete. Meanwhile, Leon Edwards remains a strong contender for the Best Championship Performance category, thanks to his remarkable fifth-round knockout victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278.
Daniel Cormier stirred up a storm of controversy with his outspoken commentary regarding Jon Jones and his triumph as the premier MMA fighter at the 2023 ESPY Awards.
Jon Jones’ victory as the best MMA fighter at the 2023 ESPY Awards stirred controversy, particularly in the perspective of former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier. Cormier voiced his dissent, arguing that Jones’ single fight in 2023 was insufficient to merit the title.
Instead, he suggested that Jones should have been acknowledged with the “Comeback of the Year” award, highlighting the need to consider a broader range of factors in determining the deserving recipients in each category.
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