Video: CSS-Sports.com (Part II after the jump)
Their battle has been a long time coming, and with a date finally set the war of words between Rashad Evans and Jon Jones is starting to heat up. Fresh off the heels of their UFC 145 presser, the two sat down with the crew of SportsNite to verbally squab once more.
Jones dutifully stuck to the script, referring to this bout as just another chapter in “his storyline” and flattering himself whenever possible. Rashad seemed content to lay back and paint ‘Bones’ as a fraud and a hypocrite. No one got KTFO, but both men scored with the jab—here’s a quick look at some of the exchanges.
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Jones: “There’s something about being really young and fresh. You know I haven’t seen the world. I don’t have the riches. And I don’t have this, and I don’t have that…”
Evans: “You got a Bentley, don’t you? Or a Rolls Royce?”
Jones: “Yeah, I do have a Bentley. I do have a Bentley. A 2012 Bentley.”
Point: Evans Jones made over $500k in disclosed purses last year alone (not including sponsorships), routinely travels throughout the US (and abroad), and is no stranger to the talk show circuit. Sure, it’s a relatively new world to him, but at 24-years-old he’s already experienced more fame and fortune than most UFC fighters. Yes, he’s young, but at this point in his career he has little in common with a line cook at Denny’s.
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Jones: “I’m extremely confident. I do believe my own hype, and I’m working towards making it true.”
Evans: “But that’s the worst thing you can ever do.”
Jones: “Well, it’s working for me. I’m not saying that it’s an arrogance thing…”
Evans: “It is an arrogance thing.”
Jones: “No, it’s not. I believe that I’m the greatest.”
Point: Evans There’s nothing wrong with believing you’re the best, especially when so many people agree with you. But it’s difficult to declare yourself someone that “America can learn from” while trying to maintain a humble, down-to-earth demeanor.
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Evans: “When you fall, when you will fall…”
Jones: “What a negative energy you’re coming from…”
Evans: “When you fall, ’cause you will fall…”
Jones: “Why are you worried about my fall? You’re not saying you’ll make me fall?”
Evans: “You know what, I hope you never fall, but you will.”
Jones: “You hope I never fall? You’re fighting me in April.”
Point: Jones Rashad came across much more naturally overall while Jones stumbled with his words from time to time, but this was a nice barb for ‘Bones’.
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Part II (Video: CSS-Sports.com)
What do you think of Jones’ uber-confidence? Refreshingly honest or a bit too much?