One of the most challenging things for a fighter outside of the Octagon is dealing with fight week, because it’s probably no fun to be doing open workouts and talking to the media while also starving through a weight cut and dealing with pre-fight nerves.
That may explain why some athletes prefer heavyweight are so testy during media days or pre-fight press conferences. For example, Jon Jones recently lit up a female reporter for challenging him over his recent drug-test drama.
Was it because he was stressed out from all the hate dished out by the fans and media, or did the pressure of fighting Alexander Gustafsson get under his skin? Or is Jones just a jerk who can’t help but act like a dick?
“Bones” tried to explain at the UFC 232 post-fight press conference (watch it).
‘Sister here with the camera, I was extremely disrespectful to you and I’m sincerely sorry,” Jones said (via MMA Junkie). “I was ready to fight and I felt maybe a little of an attack, and I was not in the mood to lose. I was just not in the mood to lose, not even a verbal argument. I’m so sorry for disrespecting you.”
Apology accepted!
I appreciated @jonbones apology tonight. Chose to be the bigger man. Congrats champ.
— Izabelle Kostic (@ezflonko) December 30, 2018
Jones defeated Gustafsson by way of technical knockout (highlights).
Unfortunately for “Bones,” his win continues to be overshadowed by the drug-testing debacle that booted him — and the entire Dec. 29 fight card — from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, into The Forum in Inglewood, California.
His next appearance could be against longtime rival, Daniel Cormier, depending on how this planned super fight shakes out, or against top contender Anthony Smith, who called for a championship showdown in early 2019.
Should we expect a kindler, gentler Jones moving forward?