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Ilia Topuria Targeted by Boxing Legend with Game-Changing Offer Ahead of UFC 317

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated May 28, 2025 12:36 PM ET

There’s already plenty of heat on UFC 317, but the stakes just got higher. On June 28, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will make his lightweight debut in a title fight against former champion Charles Oliveira. The event is scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and the match is expected to headline a stacked card. With Topuria looking to become a two-division champ in his first lightweight bout, all eyes are on how he prepares—and who he prepares with. Adding to the intrigue, a boxing legend has recently expressed interest in joining Topuria’s training camp.

In a surprising development, boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. revealed in an exclusive interview with Prime Casino that he would be willing to join Topuria’s camp for the upcoming fight. ‘I teach how to get the most out of the striking, how to stay set while you're doing it. Because in MMA you gotta always be set because guys can take your legs out, but the way I fight you always stay set.’

The offer carries weight. Known for his exceptional hand speed, unorthodox angles, and lethal counter-punching, Jones built a legacy on precision and power, capturing world titles in four different weight classes. Jones has trained alongside MMA fighters like Mike Perry in the past, and in 2023, he came out of retirement to compete in a boxing match against former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, where he was defeated on the scorecards.

Topuria’s preparation has already made headlines. The undefeated star recently parted ways with his longtime training team at Climent Club in Alicante, Spain, including coach Jorge Climent and Agustín Climent. With that shake-up in mind, a collaboration with a legend like Jones could bring fresh insight at a crucial time. The timing, experience, and striking IQ of Roy Jones Jr. might be exactly what Topuria needs heading into the biggest fight of his career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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