Jones: My heart is on the wrestling mat
Jon Jones: “From the time I was a kid, wrestling meant everything to me. I changed my focus to mixed martial arts and my career showed what kind of focus I have.”
A.J. Perez recently wrote and extensive piece on UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, ahead of his fight Saturday night with Daniel Cormier at UFC 182.
Wrestling is the most dominant discipline in mixed martial arts, and the best wrestlers in the sport have gravitated towards former US Olympic team captain Cormier, but Jones argues his heart is on the mat, too.
Jack J.J Stanbro, Jones’ wrestling coach at Union-Endicott (N.Y.) High, hoped to keep the wrestling focus from straying, and told his pupil there was no other athletic path available.
He said, ‘You’re not going to be a football player, Jon. If you want a free education, wrestling will be your way in.’ I took that to heart and stuck with it,’ Jones recalled.
Jones remains proud of his wrestling accomplishments before his pursuit toward MMA stardom began at age 19. He won a New York state wrestling title as a senior at Union-Endicott High and the National Junior College Athletic Association championship at Iowa Central Community College.
Granted, when you go up against former Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier, it’s understandable that Jones’ wrestling beginnings may get overlooked.
He is determined to overcome that.
I want to show off my capabilities on the mat, said Jones. From the time I was a kid, wrestling meant everything to me. I changed my focus to mixed martial arts and my career showed what kind of focus I have. It doesn’t mean my love of wrestling has gone away.
I almost feel the whole wrestling community is backing Cormier. It’s as if I’m not a guy who has come from that community. I’ve been to the Fargo (National Wrestling Championships) and so many other national tournaments. I really feel like I should still be associated with being a wrestler. One guy in eight years (Gustafsson) has been able to take me to the ground. His (Cormier’s) accolades shouldn’t overshadow the fact that my heart is still on the mat.
Stanbro, Jones’ high school coach, told UFC.com that Jones could have accomplished just as much on the mat as Cormier, an All-America at Oklahoma State and a member of the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic teams.
I think he could have gone to the Olympics, Stanbro said of Jones. He won a national junior college championship as a freshman. That’s impressive. He could’ve gone to a Division I program and been one of the best wrestlers in the nation.