Former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones has taken his career in a sharply different direction and will now be working with a Russian-backed promotion.
Jon Jones is heading into a new chapter outside the UFC spotlight, announcing that he has become an ambassador for IBA Bare Knuckle and will appear at the promotion’s event on March 28 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion shared the news on social media, signaling a surprising move into the bare-knuckle space at a time when his fighting future remains uncertain.
In his post, Jones wrote that “Mother Russia has accepted a new son” and said he was proud to represent IBA Bare Knuckle. He added that he will take part in his first event alongside Alfredo Auditore on March 28 in St. Petersburg.
The development is notable not only because of Jones’ status as one of the biggest names in MMA history, but also because bare-knuckle combat has become an increasingly visible lane for former MMA and boxing stars looking to extend their brands beyond traditional promotions. For American fans, the move is likely to raise as many questions as it does eyebrows, especially given Jones’ unresolved position in the UFC heavyweight picture.
It also puts Jones in direct association with IBA Bare Knuckle, which operates under the umbrella of the International Boxing Association. That organization is headed by Umar Kremlev, a Kremlin-linked sports executive whose influence has drawn scrutiny in international sports circles.
Whether this role is a short-term promotional appearance or the beginning of a more serious long-term relationship remains to be seen. What is clear is that one of MMA’s most polarizing and accomplished figures is once again making headlines far from the Octagon, and the next question will be whether this detour affects how soon — or whether — he returns to active competition.
