After what seems like countless hold-ups and re-bookings due to injuries and drug test failures, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones will finally meet in their rematch in the main event of this weekend’s (Sat., July 29, 2017) UFC 214 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. It’s been a long and arduous path to a […]
After what seems like countless hold-ups and re-bookings due to injuries and drug test failures, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones will finally meet in their rematch in the main event of this weekend’s (Sat., July 29, 2017) UFC 214 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
It’s been a long and arduous path to a successful return for Jones to say the least, as the longtime former champion and pound-for-pound great will come off of a one-year suspension from USADA to meet archrival Cormier, who has racked up four straight victories over elite foes in “Bones’” absence.
The bout is nearly here – we hope – and three years of bad blood, hype, and smack talk will be culminating in a fever pitch this weekend. The rest of that process starts with today’s (Wed., July 26, 2017) pre-fight press conference from Vegas. Watch the build-up unfold beginning live at 4:00 PM EST right here:
It’s no secret that Jon Jones has dealt with his fair share of legal and personal issues outside of the cage, and those issues were highlighted in a promo for his upcoming UFC 214 rematch with Daniel Cormier. Jones and Cormier first met at UFC 182 in Jan. 2015 where Jones scored a unanimous decision […]
It’s no secret that Jon Jones has dealt with his fair share of legal and personal issues outside of the cage, and those issues were highlighted in a promo for his upcoming UFC 214 rematch with Daniel Cormier.
Jones and Cormier first met at UFC 182 in Jan. 2015 where Jones scored a unanimous decision victory, but he was stripped of his title later that year after being arrested on felony hit-and-run charges. Then scheduled to rematch Cormier at UFC 200 last July, “Bones” was forced to withdraw from the bout just days prior after it was made clear that he had tested positive for multiple banned substances.
Upon watching the promo, Jones admitted that he ‘got lost’ and ‘took it all for granted’:
“The first time I watched it, I was uncomfortable with it, because it showed me talking in 2011 and saying how I would never want to do something that would harm the image of the sport,” Jones said during a UFC 214 media conference call. “That was genuine, man. I never intended on having an image of being the bad guy. I really didn’t. Somewhere along the way I got lost, man. I got caught up in my own sh*t. I started having fun and partying — and still winning. I just took it all for granted. Genuinely, I really wanted to be an inspiration to other people and to inspire people and be a role model.”
Due to the fact that his personal life has been made so public, it’d be understandable if Jones felt a bit bothered or angered by his issues being discussed so often, but the former champion actually said that it’s a ‘freeing feeling’:
“It’s all out there in the public,” Jones said. “And that’s a freeing feeling to be looked at as a piece of shit by so many people. And to be able to just be real for yourself and to take responsibility for the things you’ve done wrong. I feel so free, man. It’s a great feeling to be who I am. Jon Jones, the f*ck up. Jon Jones, the great. However, you look at me, it’s just great to be me. Alive. Whether you like me or hate me. It’s just a great feeling to be relevant.”
At the end of the day, Jones is aiming to right the ship and ultimately serve as an inspiration to others who face similar issues or adversity:
“I think my story is gonna really inspire somebody else who has f*cked up,” Jones said. “It’s gonna really inspire somebody else. To realize that it is not over. ‘Man, if Jon Jones can come back from the shit that he’s been through and ultimately win and be the champion he’s always been capable of being, [I can do it].’
“I’m glad that I’m used, as a laughingstock or whatever it might be to ultimately inspire, if it’s just one person. If there’s just one person that continues to fight because of my life. I’m glad to be in this position.”
Do you expect Jones to reclaim the 205-pound championship this weekend?
Jon Jones is the former UFC light heavyweight champion. He’s also the former pound-for-pound king, and at just 30 years of age, many consider him to be the very best fighter of all-time. But due to legal and personal issues he’s encountered outside of the cage, Jones has not only competed just once over the […]
Jon Jones is the former UFC light heavyweight champion. He’s also the former pound-for-pound king, and at just 30 years of age, many consider him to be the very best fighter of all-time.
But due to legal and personal issues he’s encountered outside of the cage, Jones has not only competed just once over the last two years, but he’s also had his light heavyweight title, as well as an interim light heavyweight title stripped from him by the UFC.
Now, however, Jones has seemed to sort out his problems (at least for the time being), and he’ll finally return to the Octagon in the main event of this weekend’s (July 29, 2017) UFC 214 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, as he’s slated to take on bitter rival Daniel Cormier in a highly anticipated and long awaited rematch of their UFC 182 bout, which Jones won via unanimous decision.
With that being said, there’s no better time to take a look back at one of the most impressive runs in UFC history, and highlight Jones’ five most dominant Octagon performances:
Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera – UFC on Versus 1
In just his fifth UFC bout, Jones was slated in the main event spot to meet veteran Brandon Vera on March 21, 2010. Despite the fact that Vera, a Muay Thai specialist, had won two of his previous three bouts, he proved to be no match for the up and coming Jones.
Just seconds into the fight, “Bones” used his wrestling background to land a perfectly executed takedown. He would then take Vera down once more later in the opening round, and after eating an illegal up kick, Jones unleashed on a brutal barrage of ground and pound that began with his now patented elbows. “The Truth” simply had nothing to offer Jones, and the finish, which is certainly one of Jones’ most impressive, capped off one of the most dominant performances of the now ex-champion’s career.
Jon Jones is okay with the reality that some people aren’t on his side. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight title holder will look to capture the gold again. He’ll take on champion Daniel Cormier this Saturday night (July 29) inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California for UFC 214. During a media […]
Jon Jones is okay with the reality that some people aren’t on his side. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight title holder will look to capture the gold again. He’ll take on champion Daniel Cormier this Saturday night (July 29) inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California for UFC 214. During a media […]
Dana White is worried that Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier may tussle at another press conference. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President will attend today’s (July 26) UFC 214 pre-fight press conference. The presser will feature Jones, Cormier, Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Cris Cyborg, and Tonya Evinger. It’ll begin at 4 p.m. ET. Speaking to […]
Dana White is worried that Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier may tussle at another press conference. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President will attend today’s (July 26) UFC 214 pre-fight press conference. The presser will feature Jones, Cormier, Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Cris Cyborg, and Tonya Evinger. It’ll begin at 4 p.m. ET. Speaking to […]
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has rolled out a new “KO of the Week.” This time it’s Jimi Manuwa laying leather to Ovince Saint Preux. The two met back in Oct. 2016. Manuwa took out his opponent inside two rounds. The video was released in anticipation for UFC 214. That event takes place this Saturday (July […]
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has rolled out a new “KO of the Week.” This time it’s Jimi Manuwa laying leather to Ovince Saint Preux. The two met back in Oct. 2016. Manuwa took out his opponent inside two rounds. The video was released in anticipation for UFC 214. That event takes place this Saturday (July […]
