Jon Jones’ ONLY ‘defeat’ in career offers chance to avenge blemish in ’27-1′ record

If Jon Jones wants to erase his 2009 “loss” to Matt Hamill, the best way is in the cage. ‘The Hammer’ was subject to several “12-6 elbows”, as referee Steve Mazzagatti disqualified ‘Bones’ at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 Finale back in 2009. A “12-6 elbow” means a “straight up straight down elbow strike” to a ground opponent, per MMA Unified Rules.

Back when Jon Jones infamously took the only loss of his career, it was illegal. Some 15 years later, MMA Unified Rules have changed a lot. CSAC executive officer Andy Foster recently said an ABC rules committee unanimously lifted the ban. With the controversial move gaining traction from the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, Jones can appeal to overcorrect his undefeated record. Matt Hamill is all here for it.

Let’s cut this chase… @danawhite - I know you’re desperate to get @jonnybones an undefeated record. I see how you want to profit from that! Is also why you bail him out of all the other things…How about a rematch?

Matt Hamill via IG (@hammerhamill)

Downward elbows were in fact illegal 15 years ago when Jones used them on Hamill. So, the DQ holds in the eyes of the commissions. Foster said the lift on the “12-6 elbows” ban will go into effect in November for newer fights. Meanwhile, if Team Jackson’s MMA Acoma prize fighter wants it — Hamill is ready.

12-8-0 on the stats, Hamill, 47, ended his active career with a split decision win at Maverick MMA 6 in 2018. Before Jones’ oncoming title fight against Thiago Santos at UFC 239, Dana White and Co. were trying to reverse the DQ, with NSAC saying otherwise. Recent times, though, have seen White go hell-bent on maintaining Jones’ legacy and P4P status. Matt Hamill takes those opportune instances to get Jones to save face.

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Matt Hamill wants to be the official backup for UFC 309 (if and when)

If ‘Bones’ is out to change his DQ, Matt Hamill, who has been out of the sport for over six years, is the man to see. That’s not really narrowing it down. Many people want a piece of the G.O.A.T. yet. But ‘Hammer’ showed extreme gusto to give the opponent his chance to right the wrong.

Even though White petitioned the NSAC to have the loss overturned, Jones underwent some high-profile testing pool failures at UFC 200 and UFC 214. Hence, he could not return when Hamill demanded a 205-pound rematch with the ‘roided assailant’ to settle it the right way. Now, there’s no need to pester the NSAC anymore. And despite retirement, Hamill wants in.

How about a rematch?! I’ll be happy to fight him for a heavyweight title. If I beat him, I want a UFC belt. Let me know if Stipe Miocic backs out. I’ll take short notice, just remember: he already lost to me!

Matt Hamill cointinued ( via IG post; (@hammerhamill) )

Jon Jones went on the shelf with surgery last year. After a pectoral tear and a subsequent elbow surgery, he expects to face Stipe Miocic in UFC 309’s pay-per-view top bill this November. It marks the promotion’s blockbuster return to the Madison Square Gardens Arena, New York City, NY. Hamill wants to be a backup in case Miocic pulls out and proves his win wasn’t fluff.

What’s one legacy return clash for another? To him – everything. Back when he failed his testing pool, Jones recused himself, saying he was blindsided by Hamill reaching for his five minutes of fame with a matchup demand. Now, though, will he accept at the tail-end of his performative years and hunting a legacy end? Maybe not. There’s quite a ‘Bone’ to pick here.

In case you missed it:

• “He doesn’t look like somebody that does steroids,” Joe Rogan revisits Jon Jones’ drug-test controversy
• “Dana made common sense,” Islam Makhachev head coach weighs on UFC CEO’s Jon Jones P4P claim

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