The feud between Rashad Evans and UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been one of the most entertaining rivalries in the sport recently. Remarks from both individuals make it difficult to remember them as teammates.
There are too many interviews to count of each fighter trash talking each other, and just as many of them praising one another while training together. A heated discussion between the fighters during a recent appearance on Comcast Sports is a perfect example of their lack of respect for one another. Throughout the interview, the two repeatedly interrupted each other and the mood was tense. An observation that Evans made in several interviews —— including this one —— is something I’ve noticed about Jones myself. His demeanor and claimed values have changed drastically from his early days in the league.
Since the beginning of his career, Jones has claimed to be a humble competitor. Until he was offered a championship opportunity against Mauricio Rua in early 2011, he was.
In 2010 he made statements that merit a meek reputation. Here’s an example from ESPN, “I just need to be myself and allow things to happen. If it’s God’s will, good things will happen.” In Sports Illustrated in 2009, Jones referred to himself as “their little brother” when speaking about Evans and other teammates at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts. In 2010 he said in an interview “I got that call and had to convince myself to be confident” while discussing his invitation to the UFC. Most fighters early in their UFC careers make statements very similar to these since they are grateful for the opportunity and are careful to deter the interest of possible fans. A truly humble athlete will maintain this attitude —— regardless of experience or accomplishments. While these are words from an up-and-coming fighter —— which Jones is no longer —— the contrast between his language, then and now, is strikingly high. His remarks from the Comcast Sports interview alone show this difference. Here is some of the dialogue.:
“There’s something about being really young and fresh. I haven’t seen the world and I don’t have the riches. I don’t have this and I don’t have that,” Jones said midway through the clip.
Evans interrupted him and asked, “You got a Bentley don’t you? Or a Rolls-Royce?”
Jones replied, “I do have a Bentley, a 2012 Bentley… The bottom line really, is that I want more.”
Jones then discussed his career and that he has a dream that he isn’t far from. He told Ryan Stewart “I’m extremely confident. I do believe my own hype. And I’m working towards making it true”
“But that’s the worst thing you can ever do,” Evans proclaimed.
“Well, it’s working for me. I’m not saying it’s an arrogance thing.”
“It is an arrogance thing.” Evans told him.
“No, it’s not. I believe that I’m the greatest. Mohammed Ali said that, ‘I said I was the greatest way before I was the greatest. I made the world believe I was the greatest.’ But with his own self conviction, he became the greatest.”
“Okay, but he also was humbled. He was humbled many times.”
“I believe I have the attitude of a champion and a winner and I’m not apologetic for it.”
“You need to be humbled.”
Jones declared, “And I think it’s something people in America can learn from. It’s very important to believe in yourself. It’s a cold world out there and this world will pass you by if you give another man anything over yourself. So I will say, yes. I’ll say I’m the best looking. I’ll say I’m the most funny. I’ll say I’m the most charismatic. I’ll say I’m the most main stream. I’ll say everything.”
Stewart then asked Evans if he believes Jones has earned his fame. He responded, “I definitely think he’s warranted his fame and all the accolades that come along with that. I just think that he’s so arrogant and so full on himself and thinks that he is something to the world that has never been. There ain’t nothing new under the sun. There ain’t no lessons that, you know, that he thinks that he’s going to teach the world that the world hasn’t already seen.”
“You know but I can try, though,” Jones responded as Evans declared, “Your just a drop in the bucket, bro.”
The two went back and forth as the hosts sat in silence watching the intense war of words.
Evans stated, “I honestly believe this. You lose a fight, you will change the person who you are. You won’t be the same person.”
Jones replied simply, “I won’t.”
Evans snapped back with, “You know why, because your fabric is fake.” He continued to argue with Jones telling him that they’re both aware of how Jones is fake. He claimed to know how Jones truly is and that he should be who he claims to be. In other words, act as he claims to act.
Next, Evans brought up the time that he held Jones down in practice, spurring emotional responses from Jones, as if Evans had struck a nerve. Jones spoke about the incident, confirming that it truly happened, and explained how irrelevant it was because it was practice. Evans then told the pair of hosts that Jones was on the verge of crying while asking to be let up.
Jones, seemingly annoyed, attempted to put an end to the discussion and said, “I’m trying not to get into this pre-fight stuff too much because right now I have a picture of my foot in Rampage’s mouth. But I never put it online because you got to win with grace. So all this stuff you’re saying right now, after I win the fight, it’s going to be so irrelevant. That’s what I’m saying. My storyline is so much bigger than this fight right here. So I’m trying to keep it classy.”
Evans then mocked him by closing his hands and saying, “We should all pray to Jon Jones.”
I understand someone as accomplished as Jones becoming self-confident. But, Jones has gone too far. It’s difficult to believe this is the same person that once said, “I think once you start to think that you’re the man, and you know it all, and your style is unbeatable and stuff like that, that’s when you get caught and clipped, and get humbled really fast.” Jones obviously hasn’t maintained his modest attitude regarding his abilities. He’s clearly under the impression that he is indomitable, contrary to the other UFC champions.
As an experienced UFC fighter and former champion, Evans has undergone the fallacy of invincibility that Jones is currently presuming. Evans’ sharp comments to his opponent are those of a fallen champion, forced into modesty by a humbling condescension. Evans has experienced the egotistic perspective most young, yet accomplished, athletes possess early on. One can imagine the psychological fall Jones may have if he is unseated from his throne, especially if by the hands of his biggest rival.
Apparently I’m not the only person who believes Jones isn’t genuine. Will Gray, from MMA Valor wrote about the inflation of Jones’ ego after winning the belt and his inability to tolerate the mental pressures of being a champion. He states about Jones:
“The constant wanking of people “stealing my moment” are opposite of the humble, thankful image Jones pushes in his interviews and press conferences. Stop portraying that you are here for the moment and willing to accept whatever comes your way, only to get upset when someone who wants your title or tell you to your face they are better than you.”
One may also compare his attitude to that of his fellow champions Anderson Silva or Georges St. Pierre to see the contrast. They’ve been regarded as the best on the planet for years and I couldn’t imagine either of them making statements like these. Silva couldn’t be more humble after bowing at the feet of Chael Sonnen at the end of their first fight, in the midst of their ferocious rivalry. Such brash statements from someone who appeared to be humble at one point in his career makes me wonder if he’s changed over time or if he was like this in the first place and now chooses not to hide it.
The two will finally end this chapter in their careers on April 21 in Atlanta, Georgia at UFC 145. Jones is the major favorite, but keep in mind that Evans appears to be getting under his skin. Jones has beaten legends, but Evans knows things about Jones that others don’t. Evans knows his tendencies and apparently almost made him cry during practice. Concurrently, Jones is emotionally motivated to silence his former teammate. I don’t have a clue what other fights are on this card, but I can assure you I will not miss it. The main event alone is worth the money, whether it lasts five rounds or five seconds.
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For the value of a UFC championship belt to remain intact, the organization must consistently use a logical system of merit to determine the most deserving challenger for the opportunity.