Tai Tuivasa can’t help but keep it real.

When discussing the all-time greatest fighters in the history of MMA, Jon Jones is always a name immediately mentioned no matter who is discussing the topic. Since relinquishing his UFC light heavyweight title in 2020, the expected next move has been a long-awaited heavyweight debut for “Bones” that has yet to come to fruition.

Jones, 34, has been virtually flawless in his 27-fight career with the man in the mirror truly being his biggest rival in and out of the cage. In Dec. 2009, Jones’ lone career defeat came against Matt Hamill after he landed a pair of illegal 12-6 elbows from the full mount position, resulting in a disqualification. Years later, Jones’ eventual lengthy first title reign came to a screeching halt in April 2015 after he was involved in a hit and run incident with a pregnant woman, forcing the UFC to strip him of his title.

Several other problematic instances followed, but most recently, Jones was entangled in an alleged domestic violence situation with his ex-fiance the morning after his Hall of Fame induction in Sept. 2021.

Despite all the issues and baggage that can come with the former champion, fellow fighters like the UFC’s No. 3-ranked heavyweight contender, Tuivasa still anticipate Jones’ arrival and hope to potentially step in the octagon with him.

“Jones is probably the best MMA fighter of all time,” Tuivasa said on The AllStar’s Fine Dining with Fighters. “Doesn’t matter f****** [if he’s at light heavyweight or higher]. He’s still a d***head. He is what he is, I think he’s the greatest MMA fighter of all time but if you’re a f****** idiot, you’re a f****** idiot. Hitting your missus or whatever, blah, blah, blah. I don’t know the story. Everyone’s got their own things, if you’re an idiot, you’re an idiot. That’s it. But he still is who he is.

“If I ever got the opportunity, I’d fight him. I do this to say like, ‘One day, I’ll fight the champion.’ Well, f***, I fought him. Win or lose, maybe I might win, maybe I might lose, at least I can say I got to have a crack and some guys I’ve beaten, some guys I haven’t. That’s how I kind of live my life. If I ever had a chance, of course, I would.”

Before the surging Tuivasa can worry about any potential Jones matchups, however, things are trending towards Jones either getting an immediate title shot against the champion, Francis Ngannou when healthy, or taking on former titleholder, Stipe Miocic. Meanwhile, Tuivasa looks to extend his five-fight win streak against the recent interim champion Ciryl Gane when the two collide at UFC Paris on Sept. 3.

“If it happens, it’s meant to happen,” Tuivasa said of Jones. “Like I’ve said, I think I’m gonna be around for a little bit. Obviously, he’s got a bit left in him.”

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VIDEO STEW

Between the Links.

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LISTEN UP

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses Glover Teixeira’s chances vs. Jiri Prochazka, listener hot takes, and Sean Brady joins the show.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

RJJ is watching.

Flyweight season.

Definitely early, but a nice shot.

Marvin is not impressed.

Oh, Billy.

Fancy tour.

Accurate.

Vroom vroom.

Hollywood St-Pierre.

The ladies of Syndicate.

When in Mexico.

Grapplin’.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Damon Jackson (20-4-1) vs. Daniel Argueta (8-0); UFC Vegas 56, June 4

Brian Ortega (15-2) vs. Yair Rodriguez (13-3); UFC Long Island, July 16

Nicolas Dalby (19-4-1) vs. Claudio Silva (14-3); UFC London, July 23

Augusto Sakai (15-4-1) vs. Sergey Spivak (14-3); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 6

Victor Altamirano (10-2) vs. Jake Hadley (8-1); UFC 278, Aug. 20

Katlyn Chookagian (18-4) vs. Manon Fiorot (9-1); UFC Paris, Sept. 3

Mads Burnell (16-4) vs. Pedro Carvalho (12-6); Bellator 285, Sept. 23

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FINAL THOUGHTS

I’ve been saying it ever since Jones first teased the heavyweight move when Cain Velasquez was the champion in what... 2013ish? Maybe earlier? Either way, a long time ago... And that is: I won’t believe he’s fighting at heavyweight until he actually has a fight made official.

Thanks for reading and happy Friday, gang! Stay safe and enjoy the rare relatively fightless weekend.

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EXIT POLL

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