Phillips needs likes to fight Roy Jones Jr.

​Former Algoma University basketball player and current mixed martial arts fighter Vyron Phillips has an opportunity but needs votes to make it happen.

Phillips is currently among four finalists in URShow.tv’s contest to fight former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr.

In order to vote for Phillips, fans are encouraged to like Phillips’ photo on URShow’s Facebook page.

Voting ends on Mar. 6 at 11:59 p.m.

Phillips trains locally at Gracie Jiu Jitsu and holds a 6-3 pro MMA record. The former basketball player also has a boxing background and said Jones was one of his idols and someone he mirrored his own boxing style after.

He said the opportunity arose after a mixed martial arts fight in Japan and through some connections made at the event, he earned the opportunity to apply for the contest.

He was among roughly 800 people applying and is currently in the top four finalists for the opportunity. At the time of writing, Phillips was the leading the group.

“It’s exciting and it’s nerve-wracking,” Phillips said of being among the four finalists, noting that after a big lead among the finalists early on, things have gotten closer heading into the Sunday deadline.

The fight will be aired live on URShow and should the competitor beat Jones, he will win $100,000 as well.

Phillips said the opportunity to fight Jones would be an opportunity to fight one of his idols.

“It’s an opportunity to fight one of my idols and win, lose or draw, I’m going to be a different person after that,” Phillips said. “The fight is minor compared to the opportunity to be on that stage and share my story.”

The pay per view event is set for Mar. 20 and the fight card includes Ken Shamrock meeting Dan Severn in an MMA fight, Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio in a pro wrestling match, and Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping in a grappling match.