Having jumped from one combat sport to another, two-time Olympic champion Jade Jones is already in the mix to fight MMA legend Cris Cyborg.
While coming from a decorated background in taekwondo, where legs are the primary weapon of choice, Jones appears to be making swift progress in the world of boxing.
Albeit with no professional experience, the 33-year-old has showcased her fistic improvements in two Misfits outings; both ending via second-round stoppage as she proved too skilful for her limited opponents.
Someone who could provide a sterner test, however, is muti-time MMA champion Cyborg, who has been mentioned by Misfits promoter Mams Taylor as a potential opponent for Jones.
When asked about this possible opportunity, Jones told Boxing News that she would be more than happy to face the 41-year-old in a boxing ring.
“I’m just buzzing that they’re talking about these big fights already. I’m a legend in taekwondo and she’s a legend in MMA, so I think it could make for a firework fight.”
Before a fight with the Brazilian can materialise, Jones must first complete her Misfits assignment against Power Slap champion Sheena Bathory on September 12.
“Anyone who chooses to get slapped in the face has got to be a bit crazy, so I’ll be very cautious of her. Obviously she’s not scared of getting hit!”
Indeed, Bathory could have enough durability to afford Jones more than two rounds of action at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. But this, Jones says, is exactly the type of test she needs in order to keep developing and eventually apply for a pro boxing license.
In fact, she was hoping to turn pro immediately after retiring from taekwondo, only for head coach and former world title challenger Stephen ‘Swifty’ Smith to take her down a different path.
“When I turned up to the gym, Swifty was like, ‘Why aren’t you doing MMA? It doesn’t make sense, like, you’ve kicked all your life’. I think he thought I was a bit mad at first, turning up saying I want to be a professional boxer at 32 years old.”
Instead, it was decided that Jones would enter the Misfits circuit before hopefully progressing to MF Pro, where she would then have the opportunity to face tougher opposition.
Even without immediately joining the professional code, though, Jones was introduced to the harsh reality of boxing during her first sparring session.
“I’d assumed fitness wouldn’t be a problem but, due to the nerves of getting punched, I was literally lying on the floor, knackered, after my first round of sparring.
“I would even flinch a few times with my legs, almost ready to throw a kick. We’ve come a long way since then but, yeah, it was a humbling experience.”
When asked what she has learned through boxing, Jones explained the psychological benefits of challenging herself in an entirely new sport.
“I retired from taekwondo after having given everything to the sport, but I almost felt too young to retire.
“I’d been in four Olympic cycles – won the first two and lost the second two – so I was just chasing history, trying to become the first person [in taekwondo] to get three [gold medals].
“I didn’t realise it at the time but I think everything had become a bit stale – doing the same thing for so long – and, when I lost in Paris [2024], it kind of took a piece of me.
“But I wasn’t ready to retire completely – I still love to have a scrap. And, if anything, boxing has made me mentally tougher. Losing the Olympics and going straight into boxing – the toughest sport in the world – it was always going to be scary.
“You’ve only got little gloves and you can get knocked out – your ego and everything is on the line when everyone’s watching, which can only make you mentally tough.”
