Jon Jones was inches away from knocking out Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson.
Recent footage shows the current UFC heavyweight champion sparring with Steveson, who won gold representing the USA in freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Jones is widely regarded as the greatest MMA fighter of all timeGetty
Jones hasn’t fought in the UFC since his return to the sport in March 2023 after a three-year hiatus.
It only took him two minutes to submit France’s Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in Las Vegas, where he was crowned the UFC heavyweight champion once again.
Tom Aspinall is the current interim heavyweight champion in the UFC, but there have been no talks of a blockbuster fight between the pair.
Jones is rumoured to be considering retirement after his next fight against Stipe Miocic, which takes place on November 16 in New York.
The video shows Jones toying with Steveson at Albuquerque-based gym, Jackson’s MMA Association.
‘Bones’ throws a quick combo in the direction of the former Olympian before grabbing his leg as if to attempt a takedown.
Steveson slips the attempted takedown and immediately goes for one himself, which nearly ends in disaster.
As the 24-year-old leans down in the direction of Jones, the heavyweight champ goes for a flying knee.
But luckily for Steveson, the quick reaction time of Jones allowed him to pull away right at the last second to avoid any serious injuries.
UFC fans had their say on the situation, with one claiming: “That knee is 11/10 times knocking an opponent out.”
Jones was inches away from knocking Steveson out cold@jonnybones
Jones spent three years preparing for his heavyweight debutGetty
A second added: “Oh nah…that flying knee came out of nowhere.”
While a third commented: “Ultra instinct.”
Jones is renowned for his elite-level striking inside the octagon and considered by many as the best to ever do it.
Thankfully for Steveson, he wasn’t trapped inside a cage with the heavyweight.
After a very successful career in wrestling, Steveson officially signed with the WWE in 2021. But, he didn’t last long and was released by the company this May.
He was also rejected by NFL side Buffalo Bills and the team’s practice squad after trying out for the off-season.
UFC 309 also sees Michael Chandler, who was originally scheduled to fight Conor McGregor, face-off against Charles Oliveira.
Meanwhile, hot prospect Bo Nickal comes up against Scotland‘s Paul Craig on his journey to becoming a UFC middleweight champion.
