When it comes to modern mixed martial arts, UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre believes Jon Jones is the greatest.
Debating who belongs at the top of MMA's pound-for-pound list is not GSP's strong suit. Rush claims that the world's best martial arts athlete probably hasn't even been born yet, but when choosing among today's MMA icons, St-Pierre is arguably the best fighter in the UFC's heavyweight world. I firmly claim that there is no. champion.
“Given where we are right now, I think it's hard to find a better player than Jon Jones,” St-Pierre told Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman on the Pound 4 Pound podcast. “Jon Jones is a very good guy. Jon Jones is very talented, but he's also very tough. People don't realize how tough he is. I'm with him. I've been training and I've seen him struggle. He's very tough. I remember when he fought Vitor Belfort, I think he dislocated his arm, but he… He fought even though his arm was dislocated.One fight even broke his toe.
“Most of the time when you have a very talented player, toughness doesn't come with it. Jon Jones is the complete package. He's got it all: elite striker, elite grappler, [and] He's good everywhere. Of course there are things where people say, “He did this, he did that,” but in terms of who is the best, he came back and beat Cyril Gane the way he did. Did. It's hard to argue with you. ”
Jon Jones' meteoric rise to the top
Since making his MMA debut in 2008, Jon Jones has been essentially undefeated, with his only loss coming against Matt Hamill by disqualification for an illegal elbow. 'Bones' won the light heavyweight title at UFC 128 and defended the belt against a group of MMA legends including Quinton Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen and Alexander Gustafsson. did. After racking up 11 defenses over two reigns, Jones vacated the title in 2020, announcing an inevitable move to heavyweight.
Fans had to wait more than three years to see Jones return inside the Octagon to challenge Cyril Gane for the vacant heavyweight strap at UFC 285. It took just 124 seconds for 'Bones' to send 'Bon Gamin' and add another world title to his collection.
Jones was scheduled to defend his title against Stipe Miocic in November, but a few weeks before the fight he suffered a torn chest, forcing “Bones” to withdraw from the fight. No official announcement has been made regarding his return, but UFC CEO Dana White is hopeful that Jones vs. Miocic will be resolved sometime this summer.
