Roy Jones Jr. is willing to help Ilia
Topuria perfect his striking technique ahead of his lightweight
debut.
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Topuria, a former featherweight champion, will move up to 155
pounds to face Charles
Oliveira for the vacant lightweight strap in the UFC 317
headliner on June 28 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While “El
Matador” is known for his knockout power, Jones Jr. believes he
could help the Georgian-Spaniard build upon the skills he already
possesses.
“I would make a lot of difference [to Ilia
Topuria’s camp for Charles
Oliveira] because I teach how to get the most out of the
striking, how to stay set while you’re doing it,” Jones Jr. told
Prime Casino.
„Because in MMA you gotta always be set because guys can take your
legs out, but the way I fight you always stay set, so I think what
I teach would be advantageous to anybody who chose to indulge in it
and get what I really teach.”
The 56-year-old Jones Jr. compiled a 66-10 boxing record while
holding world championships in four different weight classes. He
fought as recently as 2023, losing a majority decision to former
UFC lightweight champ Anthony
Pettis at Gamebred Boxing 4 before stopping Robert Wilmote in
the seventh round of an exhibition later that year.
Though Jones Jr. is known for his exploits in the Sweet Science, he
believes his acumen can translate to other combat sports, as
well.
“[I understand] the mechanics of all boxing, all fighting, not just
boxing, all arts of fighting,” he said. “[I understand] the
mechanics of MMA totally well and totally understand what’s
necessary and what’s not necessary to make you a better fighter.”