Jon Jones called out by Tai Tuivasa ahead of heavyweight debut

Jon Jones has been called out by Tai Tuivasa who says he wants to welcome the former UFC light heavyweight champion to the heavyweight division.

Jones, 34, recently revealed that he plans to go up a division following a storied career where he reigned supreme as one of the top fighters in the world for the past decade.

The former pound-for-pound king hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon since his unanimous decision victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020.

Jones’ advisor Richard Schaefer recently confirmed he will meet with the UFC brass to discuss his next opponent.

And Tuivasa has thrown his name into the mix, showing no apparent fear in facing the American, who is widely considered to be the UFC GOAT.

He told MMA Fighting: “Count me in. I’ll jump in against Jon Jones. It sounds pretty cool.”

Affectionately known as ‘Bam Bam’, the Aussie star, 28, is back in action on Saturday night in the UFC 271 co-main event against Derrick Lewis.

And while he admits it’s ‘a big opportunity’, he revealed he was actually drunk when he accepted the fight.

He admitted: “No not at all. I was getting p*****. I was in my holiday mode.

“I was going to continue the holiday for a little bit, but like I said, it’s a big opportunity, and I’m a big fan of Derrick as well.

“Why not? If it’s popped up, might as well grab it with two hands and run with it.

“I was like, s—, I was planning on going out when I woke up, and then I didn’t get to go out. That was my only regret.

“It’s a fight against the third best heavyweight in the world and I think I might win.”

Tuivasa, who is on a four-fight win streak, also had a few choice words for his former opponent Greg Hardy.

The Aussie star stopped the former NFL DE in round one of