One of the NBA’s most physically dominant players is James Johnson. Johnson is not only imposing at 6’7″ and 240 pounds; players all throughout the league are aware of his second-degree black belt in karate, as well as his reported records of 20-0 in kickboxing and 7-0 in MMA.
If Johnson is a mixed martial arts fighter who has never lost, his confidence in issuing such a daring challenge would make sense. Johnson asserted during an appearance on the NBA Rookie Life with Ryan Hollins podcast that he could defeat Jon Jones, the current UFC heavyweight champion.
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6’8″ NBA Star Claims He Can Beat Jon Jones
The UFC heavyweight champion is getting ready to defend his crown on November 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York against fellow superstar Stipe Miocic.
In lieu of taking on the newest crop of heavyweight contenders, “Bones” is attempting to arrange a cross-over battle with boxing icon Tyson Fury.
If it doesn’t work out, Johnson might be the next opponent in a novelty battle.
The NBA power forward is convinced that once Jones spends some time learning how to wrestle, his 6’8″, 240-pound bulk will present challenges.
Johnson has been a karate black belt holder for his entire life.
The 36-year-old also claims to be unbeaten in kickboxing (20-0) and mixed martial arts (7-0), but there is no independent evidence of his fights.
“I think I could beat him for real,” Johnson said on former NBA star turned broadcaster Ryan Hollins’ NBA Rookie Life show.
“I rock with Jones. I would need a year. My standup game is great but what we all know about Jones is he’s a collegiate wrestler – really good on the ground and that’s not my forte.
“I think I could beat him, for real. But like I said with a year of training defence. I just need ground defence.
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