Midnight Mania! Jon Jones Congratulates Vitor, Bashes Liddell

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There are few fighters more self-confident, or self-centered, as Jon Jones; his fights are always about him, his own narrative very much central in his mind. This is never more evident than in his behavior after he pulls out a tough win; he can’t help congratulating himself for digging deep and finding out he is indeed a warrior. His 2012 victory over up-jumped middleweight Vitor Belfort contained a surprising challenge, as Vitor locked in a nasty armbar from guard that fully extended Jones’ arm. Somehow, Jon held on and Vitor didn’t manage to snap the arm. “Bones” picked up the Brazilian bodily, slamming him until ‘The Phenom’ let the armbar go. The rest of the fight was all Jon Jones, ending with a 4th-round kimura victory for “Bones”.

Now that Vitor has been officially retired (sort of) by Lyoto Machida’s unbelievable, career-ending front kick, Jones took the opportunity to congratulate the legend- and himself in the process.

Enjoy your retirement brother, you deserve it. Thank you for the magnificent fight, learned a lot about myself that tonight. Nothing but respect for you @VitorBelfort Ps I know my arm would have been a nice little trophy for you, maybe we can run it back sometime in the future. Charity jujitsu match or something

Jones was much less charitable to retired 48-year-old champion Chuck Liddell, who has been making noise lately about wanting to come out of retirement to fight him.

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