Jones: if I don’t become greater than Ali it’s my own fault
A year ago Bruce Buffer predicted that Jon Jones would be the Muhammad Ali of MMA. “I believe it and…
A year ago Bruce Buffer predicted that Jon Jones would be the Muhammad Ali of MMA.
“I believe it and receive it” twittered Jones in response.
Now the UFC is explictiy casting Jones as the sport’s Ali. The organization recreated the iconic image of Ali underwater with Jones in his place. And then they released a video of Jones with a continuous chant borrowed from Ali’s cornerman Drew Bundini Brown – “the champ is here.”
During today’s conference call Jones was asked whether he felt pressure from the comparisons to the greatest?
It adds no pressure, I just find it fun, Jones said. I definitely don’t consider myself Muhammad Ali, I thought Muhammad Ali had many flaws in the person that he was. At the same time, I love Muhammad Ali.
I’ve watched every interview he’s ever done. I’ve read a Muhammad Ali book. I have autographs signed ‘Cassius Clay,’ I have his autograph signed ‘Muhammad Ali.’ I’m a huge fan, but I don’t strive to be Muhammad Ali. I strive to be the best Jonathan B. Jones that there ever was. I want to do things better than Muhammad Ali.
I never came out and was like, ‘Oh, I want to be Ali. Put me on the cover underwater.’ That was the UFC’s idea. That’s the people on the outside looking at me in a positive regard. I’m truly honored and I think it’s awesome.
With most young fighters, it will probably get to their head and they start to think, ‘Oh, I’m the man now. Look at this cover.’ It would deteriorate a lot of young fighters, but for me, it motivates me. It empowers me to train harder and I realize that if I don’t become greater than Muhammad Ali, it’s my own fault.