'Mike Tyson of the division' Jimi Manuwa insists Jon Jones needs tune-up before UFC title shot

Jimi Manuwa’s path to becoming one of only two men under current consideration to challenge for Daniel Cormier’s UFC light heavyweight championship has been … interesting, to say the least.

After getting knocked out by the now-retired Anthony Johnson in Sept. 2015 at UFC 191, Manuwa has bounced back with two “Performance of the Night” KO wins of his own, the latest coming against Corey Anderson last month at UFC Fight Night 107. Just like that, after his first win streak since 2013, Manuwa called for a title shot when he probably had no business doing so.

And it worked.

Now it’s between Manuwa and the soon-to-return-from-suspension Jon Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) for the next shot at Cormier (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), although UFC President Dana White has made it clear that a Jones-Cormier rematch at UFC 214 is priority if “Bones” is ready by the July 29 pay-per-view event in Anaheim, Calif.

As you could imagine, that didn’t sit well with Manuwa (17-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) as he explained Tuesday on ESPN’s “Five Rounds” podcast.

“I didn’t want (Jones) to kind of jump the line,” Manuwa said. “I’ve been working hard, knocking people out. I believe I deserve the title shot. He’s the greatest of all time, but he’s been off for a year or two years. I think he needs a warm-up fight, and I think he knows he needs a warm-up fight.”

Since Cormier’s submission win over Johnson at UFC 210, which Manuwa attended, “Poster Boy” has been busy trash-talking the champ on Twitter in hopes of getting his shot. We’d yet to hear Manuwa remark much on Jones.

While he respects the fact that Jones technically never lost his belt, Manuwa believes he’s done more than enough to earn his shot.

“You can’t really argue with Jon Jones,” Manuwa said “He’s the best of all time in all weight divisions — maybe him and (Demetrious Johnson) after (UFC on FOX 24) performance. But I don’t know. I just feel I’ve finished all my fights in spectacular fashion. I don’t go to decision. I’m like the Mike Tyson of the division now. I think all these people know that I’m a (tough) fight for anyone.”

Whoa, “Mike Tyson of the division” is a stretch. But then again, that kind of talk is why Manuwa is on the cusp of a title shot. Who are we to tell him otherwise? Do you, Jimi.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.