Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is a name synonymous with UFC greatness. He became the youngest champion in the company’s history at just 23 years old. This was after defeating Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua in one round to claim the light-heavyweight gold.
But it was his win against Lyoto Machida in 2011 that cemented his place as the greatest light heavyweight in MMA history.
However, Machida was no match for the rising star. Jones caught him in a standing guillotine in round two. The submission rendered Machida unconscious, and he fell to the floor seemingly out of it, making for a truly iconic win for Jones.
Jones vs Machida https://t.co/LBBDVZ7lJP
— MMA Gone Wild🥋 (@mmagonewild) June 14, 2019
While Jon Jones celebrated his victory, his coach, Greg Jackson, could be heard instructing him to show concern for his opponent in order to win over fans.
Jackson told Jones to check on Machida and “get some fans.”
A clip of his instruction went viral, and many assumed Jackson was asking Jones to fake concern for his opponent after Jones was labelled ‘arrogant’ in the lead-up to UFC 140.
Jackson said: “Jon! Jon Jones! Go check on Machida, get some fans.”
Greg Jackson walks back controversial comments
However, Jackson later admitted that his comments came across poorly but stressed he was simply trying to teach his trainee how to be a good winner.
He clarified that there is cage etiquette in the sport, and going to check on someone after the bout is over is what a good man is supposed to do.
Jones’ relationship with the fans has been tarnished by several PED test failures and arrests over the years.
Jackson parted ways with Jones following his 2021 arrest but the two have since reunited at UFC 285.
Jon Jones returns at UFC 285 this weekend
His talent inside the octagon cannot be denied, and many still consider him the greatest UFC athlete of all time. On Saturday, he will compete against Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title at UFC 285 in Las Vegas. This is his first MMA outing in over three years.
Jones has spent the past three years bulking up. His new physique has been criticized, but he insists he has the “strength and explosiveness of a lion” .
Jones hopes to further cement his status as the greatest UFC athlete of all time with a win against Gane. Only time will tell if he can pull off yet another historic victory.
