Jon Jones is widely considered the future of mixed martial arts.
The 24-year-old’s dominant performances over former champions like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has garnered him a lot of success in a short period of time. But for the amount of praise he receives from the media, Jones gets even more criticism from the fans.
In a feature story on MensJournal.com, Jones said he is aware of his role as UFC light heavyweight champion and he understands it will bring forth its fair share of criticism.
But like some of the UFC’s past stars in Chuck Liddell or Brock Lesnar, who brought a lot of success to the company with their style and charisma, Jones is attempting to do the same, regardless of how he is perceived.
“Sometimes I look back, and I want to be rude to people who didn’t believe in me. But that’s not what I do,” Jones said.
Even some of Jones’ colleagues have taken a disliking to the champion’s good-guy image, particularly Rashad Evans, a former training partner of “Bones” and the next challenger to the light heavyweight championship. The two 205-pound contenders will meet in the main event at UFC 145.
Evans shares the fans’ opinion and believes Jones’ image is nothing but a facade, and has continuously called him out for being arrogant or cocky. But Jones said he is the furthest thing from it.
“My road wasn’t easy, by any means. That’s why when people call me cocky, it’s, like, the biggest blow I can get. It’s like, ‘It’s not me! I’m sorry I’m coming across that way,” he said.
But whether he is cheered or booed by the fans in attendance, Jones is grateful for where he is at in his career and accepts the fact that his job is to win fights, not popularity contests.
“I can’t please everyone,” he said. “Some people are going to love you, and some are going to hate you, no matter what you do.”
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