Vitor Belfort Proposes Epic Jon Jones vs Anthony Joshua Showdown with Groundbreaking New Glove and Rules

Former UFC champion Vitor Belfort has unveiled an audacious vision to bring Jon Jones and Anthony Joshua face-to-face in a revolutionary mega-fight — one that blends the worlds of MMA and boxing like never before.

Belfort, a trailblazer in combat sports, has designed and patented an innovative hybrid glove that combines the protection of traditional boxing gloves with the tactical advantage of exposed fingers — allowing fighters to clinch while throwing powerful punches. The gloves range from eight to twelve ounces, adjustable based on the fighter’s preference.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Belfort passionately laid out his blueprint: “I want to challenge Jon Jones to step into the cage and face off against the British powerhouse Anthony Joshua — but under my rules and gloves.”

His concept? A 12-round battle, three minutes each, with boxing’s core techniques but allowing clinching and limited grappling. “No dirty boxing,” Belfort emphasized. “You’ll be able to grab your opponent’s hand and head, and throw punches in the clinch. It’s a true test of skill, endurance, and heart.”

The former UFC icon believes this fusion would shatter pay-per-view records and create viral buzz, especially as UFC President Dana White is increasingly promoting crossover boxing ventures. “Dana should stop pushing boxing vs MMA fights and focus on something real — like this,” Belfort said. “Imagine this fight happening in the cage: Jon Jones vs Anthony Joshua. It would be unprecedented.”

Belfort’s vision comes as Dana White recently partnered with WWE’s Nick Khan and Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh to promote blockbuster boxing events, including Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford slated for September alongside UFC 320.

Belfort also cautioned Jones against chasing the UFC heavyweight title unification with Tom Aspinall, urging him to pursue fresh, legacy-defining challenges like this hybrid showdown.

A legend in his own right, Belfort spent 22 years competing at the highest levels of MMA, famously battling champions like Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, and Jon Jones himself. With a record 13 UFC first-round finishes, Belfort’s insights carry weight.

Recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 315 in Montreal, Belfort is using his platform to push this ambitious fusion of MMA and boxing. “The boxing clinch is different from MMA clinch,” he explained. “We won’t kick the boxers or take them down — but let’s see who has the best hands, who can withstand the grind.”

While he hasn’t officially retired, Belfort hinted at potential future fights, naming Anderson Silva and even Jake Paul as possible opponents — but only if the matchup “makes sense.”

With this bold proposal, Vitor Belfort is setting the stage for what could be the most groundbreaking combat sports event in history — one that might redefine the boundaries between MMA and boxing forever.