Jon Jones experienced a setback at the first Dirty Boxing Championship event when his teammate was quickly knocked out.
Earlier this week, it was surprisingly announced that Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, has become a co-owner of a new combat sports organization called Dirty Boxing Championship.
This news came while Jon Jones` future in the UFC is uncertain. Negotiations are ongoing for a potential title unification fight against Tom Aspinall, with UFC president Dana White expressing confidence that it will happen.
The inaugural Dirty Boxing Championship event took place on Saturday night, coinciding with a UFC event in London. At the UFC event, Aspinall continued to mock Jones.
Teammate Suffers Quick Knockout
Although Dirty Boxing Championship had previously held an event in November, featuring a knockout win by Yoel Romero, it was a private event without a broadcast.
Saturday`s event was the promotion`s first public show, held at the Hangar in Regatta Harbour, Miami, Florida. Yoel Romero was again the main event.
Because this was the first event since Jones announced his co-ownership, it featured Maurice Greene, a longtime teammate of Jones and former UFC fighter, who fought Rakim Cleveland.
Unfortunately for Jones and his team, his new venture started badly when Greene was brutally knocked out in just 40 seconds.
Soon after the fight started, Greene tried a combination and appeared to injure his shoulder. After being hit by a counter punch, he briefly put his hands on the ground.
Cleveland then landed several heavy strikes, sending Greene through the ropes and seemingly unconscious.
Immediately after the referee stopped the fight, Greene seemed to be shaking on the ground. Commentators suggested he might have been trying to reset his shoulder.
Despite this, Greene continued to shake after getting up and limped out of the ring, with his health condition unclear.
UFC Fighter Criticizes Lack of Support for Greene
The scene was disturbing, especially as a ringside doctor watched without immediately helping Greene to his corner.
Furthermore, Greene`s coaches were not present after the fight, and he left the ring unassisted.
UFC veteran Charles Johnson used social media to question the absence of Greene`s coaches, saying, “Where are Crochet boss’ corners? Help the f— man, my god. He’s clearly lost his equilibrium. Doctor just watching him struggle, help him to the stool.”
