Jones: McGregor ‘tremendous inspiration to me’
After his victory at UFC 214, Jones talks about McGregor:
Conor McGregor, he has been a tremendous inspiration to me. He has shown me, who has been at the upper echelon of this sport for many years now, he has shown me that these huge paydays are possible. I never thought in my time as champion that we would be able to see fighters making $70 million or whatever he’s making for this (Floyd) Mayweather fight. It’s an inspiration that you can do it. I see it as possible, and that’s what McGregor has done for me.
Lesnar responds to Jon Jones callout
After Jones beats Daniel Cormier he calls out Lesnar:
Brock Lesnar! If you want to know what it feels like to get beat by somebody who weighs 40 pounds less than you…meet me in the Octagon.
"Brock Lesnar… Meet me in the Octagon!" 🎤@JonnyBones 👊@BrockLesnar 💪
The definition of a super fight!! #UFC214 pic.twitter.com/06TOfsQTzf
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) July 30, 2017
To which Lesnar responds:
Be careful what you wish for, young man.
Brock Lesnar responded to Jon Jones (via the AP): "Be careful what you wish for, young man.” #UFC214
— Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) July 30, 2017
Jones: McGregor can’t beat Mayweather
Jones says that, despite his admiration for McGregor, he doesn’t think the Irishman can beat Mayweather.
I really admire Conor McGregor a lot. He’s been a huge inspiration to me. But I’m also a fan of greatness – and Floyd Mayweather is unquestionably great. He’s 40 but Floyd takes care of himself, he’s been living a clean life, you’d be surprised what you can get out of yourself when you live the way Floyd does – he has all the resources to stay healthy and on top of his game. Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya, all these guys have tremendous punching power. But what they have that McGregor doesn’t is the years of experience and tightness to back up that punching power. I’m really happy for McGregor to be in this position but if I were a betting man, I’d imagine that you’d just have to side on the side of greatness.
Cormier to fight Jones at UFC 214
More than a year after their last fight was cancelled due to Jones’ one-year suspension for doping, Cormier will meet Jones to defend his light heavyweight belt at UFC 214 in Anaheim on July 29.
Cormier wants McGregor-Mayweather undercard
Cormier says he wants a rematch with Jones on the McGregor-Mayweather undercard. However, he says has not been involved in any talks about the fight.
Any human being that gets part of the Pay-per-view would definitely want to be a part of that. If you are on a card with Mayweather and McGregor, and me and Jon Jones. It would do ridiculous numbers. You’d get paid…I’ve won at every level. Beat some of the best guys in the entire world. And then, once I get through with Jones, I can do whatever I want.
Jones: Cormier’s weigh-in ‘One of the dirtiest things I’ve seen in all of sports’
Jones says he cannot believe Cormier’s weigh in.
That was absolutely nuts. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing. If you focus on his hands you can see him looking down and balancing out his weight just right to make 205. What a clever trick. Pretty dishonest of him. The crazy thing was that it was allowed to happen. I would imagine there would have to be some sort of commission or something to go back and see this blatant foul play and address it. They just completely got away with doing one of the dirtiest things I’ve seen in sports.
Jones: Rousey should ‘try again’
Jones, currently on a one year suspension for a failed drug test, says Rousey should pick herself up and try again.
My advice to Ronda would be to pick yourself up and try again.I think it’s important for Ronda to show her fans how great she truly is by displaying her courage and giving it another try. What she does next will truly determine her legacy. I really hope she chooses to be … unbroken. Her story doesn’t have to be over here. I also still believe she beats 90 (percent) of the division. Lots of ass kicking still to be done, lots of money to be made…Maybe she just needs to complement her coach with an MMA family. Maybe she should join one of the bigger MMA teams. … Being around other bad asses and constantly sharing your spotlight could be good for you (in) so many ways. They can improve on your humility.
Danis challenges Jones to grappling bout
Appearing to test a move into MMA from jiu-jitsu, Danis calls out Jones pure grappling skills.
He wants to step into my realm, but he doesn’t understand. I would play with him. My jiu-jitsu is a different level. Let’s be honest, Dan [Henderson] is about 45-years old and has two submissions out of 47 fights, but [Jones’ performance] was OK, I guess…He’ll need to beg me. I don’t show up for just anybody.
Believes McGregor can beat Woodley
When asked by a fan on Twitter, Jones says McGregor can beat Woodley.
I'm not saying Connor would win, I'm saying he could win if wood doesn't use all the tools he's capable of https://t.co/qFe8sVrKR7
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 15, 2016
Jones: McGregor forgets the UFC created him
Jones says that McGregor should not get a stake in UFC if it is sold.
No. No I don’t. The UFC has created Conor McGregor. I think sometimes he forgets that. But, he is a magnificent talent and we’re all glad to have him as a part of the sport. He’s bringing a lot of attention, and just so much more recognition. And at the end of the day, when he wins, we all win. So, I’m grateful for him.
Jones: ‘Foolish’ McGregor and Rousey believed hype
Jones says it’s important not to believe that you are unbeatable.
I know that I can be beat and I think that’s why I haven’t been beat, where some of these guys really start to believe their hype. Ronda Rousey, they were saying she’s the best fighter of all time and best athlete in the world, stuff like that and I was happy for her to hear those types of accolades, but once I realized that maybe she was starting to believe it herself, I knew she was in a dangerous spot. Conor McGregor saying these things about just being the baddest dude and ‘I’ll beat anybody at any weight class,’ that’s foolish stuff. When you believe the hype to that level, that’s when you’re in danger…People always ask if I’m competing with with Conor or Ronda. I’m not at all. I think there’s enough room in the sky for many stars. We all bring so much different things to the table, different demographics and viewership so I’m just grateful to be a part of of the conversation again of being top dog.
UFC 200: McGregor-Diaz replaced with Cormier-Jones
UFC announces that Cormier and Jones will lead the ticket for UFC 200, a light heavyweight bout that replaces McGregor v. Diaz. Cormier and Jones were originally set to rematch at UFC 197, until Cormier had to pull out due to injury.
Jon Jones interview
Power 106 FM interviews Jones during Big Boys Neighborhood about his UFC career.
