In the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts, Zion Clark, a fighter born without legs, has never let his disability deter him from stepping into the ring with fierce determination. Recently, after Jon Jones‘ triumphant return to the UFC and his stunning victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in Las Vegas, Clark challenged the newly crowned heavyweight champion to an impromptu pushup contest—a challenge that would see Clark emerge as the victor.
Jon Jones had been away from the UFC scene for over three years, having relinquished his light-heavyweight championship to bulk up for the heavyweight division. His hard work paid off as he defeated Frenchman Ciryl Gane with a clinical submission in just three minutes of the first round. With his victory still fresh, Jones agreed to take on the spirited legless fighter, Zion Clark, in a test of strength and endurance.
Clark, who suffers from caudal regression syndrome—a condition affecting the development of the lower spine—has always demonstrated unwavering resilience. Although he has participated in various sports, his current focus is on building a career in the competitive realm of mixed martial arts.
As the two athletes prepared for their backstage pushup showdown, Jones expressed admiration for Clark’s tenacity, saying,
“I love what you’re doing, man! You’re killing it. I’ll see you. It’s a big occasion. Man, God bless you. Keep doing what you’re doing. Z, let’s go, baby! I know you want to hit that pushup competition. I know you want to hit it. I got some extra in me too.”
The contest commenced, with both fighters performing pushups side by side. However, after forty repetitions, Jones began to falter, while Clark showed no signs of stopping. Clark playfully taunted the heavyweight champ, saying, “You look like you’re slowing down, bro! Let’s go! Well, you can’t win all of them.” Following the pushup contest, Jones congratulated Clark with a handshake before heading to the changing room to prepare for his post-victory press conference.
Zion Clark‘s indomitable spirit has been making waves in the MMA world. In December, he achieved his first victory in a mixed martial arts bout against an able-bodied opponent at the Gladiator Challenge in San Diego. The intense fight spanned three full rounds, with the judges unanimously declaring Clark the winner.
In this inspiring story of perseverance, Zion Clark‘s unwavering determination and commitment to his sport challenge the conventional notions of what it means to be an athlete. His recent victory over Jon Jones in a pushup contest serves as a testament to his grit and relentless pursuit of excellence, proving that with dedication and passion, anything is possible.
WATCH the video below for more details:
Source: AWM