In recent weeks, UFC CEO Dana White has gone out of his way in recognition of heavyweight champion Jon Jones. He often, easily, and factually bills “Bones” as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion. Before making his return against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in just a week, Jones gives his thanks to the bossman.
White was very critical of the media for dropping Jones a few places in the P4P rankings. This was due to ballot inactivity when other dominant champions such as Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev were more active. Now, Jones pitches in on it:
It’s just an honor, that’s all, …It’s just a huge honor to even be considered at 37 years old one of the most well-rounded winners in our sport still. It’s a huge honor and I’m just very grateful that my boss, a man who’s sat front row for every fight, all of our fights…For him to say, ‘Hey, listen guys, trust me. I know what I’m watching. I know what I’m looking at’
Jon Jones to MMA columnist Kevin Iole for his YT Channel for UFC 309 pre-fight media availability
Jones (27-1-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) makes his return at UFC 309 on November 16 when he defends his heavyweight title against former champion Miocic. It’s a bout that was to take place last year, but a pectoral injury to Jones delayed it. Despite this, White still considers Jones to be the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world. Something the champ greatly appreciates.
White got into heated media debates on the subject during pressers. So much so that White’s stance became a meme in online MMA circles. However, P4P rankings are heavily influenced by activity, and Jones has only fought once since leaving 205-pound marks in 2020. His ranking of 3rd in the UFC’s official P4P rankings with this schedule is a nod to his legacy as one of the greatest ever to compete.
Former UFC women’s champion argues Tom Aspinall fight ‘does nothing’ for Jon Jones’ legacy
When Jon Jones headlines the UFC 309 main card at MSG, he once again enters the foray as the legacy champ. It makes Tom Aspinall and his status as the interim champ that much moot. The Brit heavyweight hit back to hook out unification many times, as was expected. However, for the nth time, Jones denied him the chance.
In a recent post on X, Jones stated that he intends to focus on creating the legacy. One that “Bones” has always wanted to leave in the UFC for the rest of his career. This has led him to opt for a fight with Stipe Miocic rather than the current 9-fight champion, Aspinall.
This led to Ben Davis, aka ‘The Bane’, a commentator with DAZN, Misfits Boxing, and UFC Fight Pass play-by-play commentator to detract. However, former UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg disagreed.
That fight does nothing for Bones legacy. IC is a paper title.
Jones is the 🐐 he makes the rules.
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) November 8, 2024
While Davis expressed his wish for a Jon Jones vs. Aspinall pay-per-view (PPV) billing after UFC 309, Cyborg stated otherwise. She confidently stated that IC gold is just too paper thin to add to the legacy, much like a substitute thing. Cyborg would know a thing or two about that. She recently won the “Battle of Giants” PFL pay-per-view Super Fight belt after all.
