UFC boss Dana White wants Jon Jones’ loss overturned
Many see Jon Jones (24-1) as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, and with good reason. By tall intensive purposes, he’s never been defeated. He does, however, have a professional loss – mired by controversy.
Jones faced division staple Matt Hamill in 2009, during Jones’ undefeated run towards title shot and divisional dominance. Jones controlled the fight against Hamill completely, and while in top position began raining down elbows, including a so-called “12-6” elbow, which is not allowed. This rule in particular has been both critiqued and ridiculed by many fighters and the MMA community as a whole.
Referee Steve Mazagatti stopped the fight and began asking Hamill, who is deaf, if he could continue. Hamill, who has blood in his face and had his eyes closed, didn’t respond, prompting Mazagatti to rule the fight as a win for Hamill via disqualification.
Now UFC president Dana White is looking to get the loss overturned. As a guest on ESPN Radio’s “The Sedano Show,” White revealed that he was working on getting the DQ loss overturned.
“The guy’s never lost a fight ever. That one loss on his record, we’re trying to get that (overturned),” White stated. “It was at a time and a place in the Nevada State Athletic Commission when it was at its worst.
“It was the weakest commission ever in the history of Nevada, and the referee that reffed that fight shouldn’t have even been in there, and he disqualified Jon, which shouldn’t have happened, either. So hopefully we can get that overturned.”
UFC commentator Joe Rogan would later voice his agreement for the decision via Twitter.
Hamill response: “Rematch?”
This talk has sparked a response from Hamill himself, who hasn’t fought for the UFC since 2013.
“@joerogan @danawhite @JonnyBones to supports overturning Jon Jones DQ loss to me to a no contest?” Hamill tweeted. “Well I’m not complaining about jones in the past what he used illegal substance when he fought me.12/6 elbow is illegal. Back to back wins. How about rematch?”
Hamill left the UFC with losses in three out of his last four fights in the promotion. He then lost three additional bouts before returning to the win column in 2017, and is coming off back to back wins.
