Jones: I’m trying to be more of a company guy
Jon Jones: “I think at this point in my career I’m ready to choose my battles more wisely and not bicker about the small things.”
UFC interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has had some notable feuds the past several years, with Daniel Cormier, with the UFC, and with his better side. The fight with Cormier will get to the Octagon, again, at UFC 200 on July 9. Jones appears to be winning a very human struggle with substance addiction. And during a recent media luncheon, Jones, 28, said he is trying to get along with UFC management, too.
“We’re in a pretty good spot right now,” said Jones, as transcribed by Marc Raimondi for MMA Fighting. “I’m ready to play the game. Obviously, I’ll always be a guy to try to stand up for what I think is right. I have no problem standing up to the UFC when it comes to anything that I feel is not right, speaking my mind and going against the grain. But I think at this point in my career I’m ready to choose my battles more wisely and not bicker about the small things. Before I used to disagree with doing certain media and all this type of stuff. These days I’m really trying to do better at choosing my battles wisely.”
“My goal right now is to be more active and be more of a company guy, so I just fought in April, I’m fighting in July and I’m planning to win this fight and fight at Madison Square Garden in November. Just try to get right back into training camp after every fight and fight a hell of lot more often — three to four times a year.”
“I’m saying it now and it’s probably going to be … easier said than done. But my goal is to do that. I believe I’m the guy to do it, especially with this new outlook on life and treating myself better and spending more time in the gym. Hopefully that’s what I’ll be doing. It’ll make the UFC happy and the fans happy.”