While Jon Jones` professional record in the UFC is filled with accomplishments that place him among the greatest fighters ever, his personal life outside the octagon has also generated significant attention and controversy, forming a substantial part of his public history.
His history includes numerous legal troubles and controversies, such as a DWI arrest following a major win, a hit-and-run accident involving a pregnant woman, and allegations of domestic violence. Beyond legal issues, he also tested positive for cocaine shortly before a fight against Daniel Cormier.
Despite this long list of incidents, fellow UFC veteran Matt Brown strongly dismisses the idea that Jones` actions away from competition significantly diminish the legacy he leaves behind now that he`s retired.
“We will still remember him as the greatest ever,” Brown stated in a recent interview. “All that other stuff, I suppose that`s what the nitpickers and hardcore fans will focus on. Look, he competes in a cage for our entertainment, and he did it at the absolute highest level witnessed on this planet. I don`t condone or respect his other actions, and I don`t think anyone does. Nobody thinks, `Oh, that was fine, just forget it.` But ultimately, do we genuinely care?
“Millions of people engage in terrible behavior all the time. He did those terrible things and continued to defeat the world`s best fighters. So I`m not trying to justify his actions, but I speak Jon Jones` name primarily because of his fighting prowess. That`s the only aspect I`m interested in discussing regarding him. This is just my perspective; others might feel differently. But I won`t alter my recollection of him based on those issues. All I remember is what I saw on television. That`s all that matters to me. What is that other stuff? It`s essentially irrelevant. In my opinion, he should be remembered for his achievements inside the cage, and everything outside is a completely separate, insignificant matter.”
Beyond opinions on his legal troubles, Jones also missed considerable time in the UFC due to the consequences of these situations. He also faced drug testing failures; one instance prevented him from competing at UFC 200, and another led to his knockout victory over Daniel Cormier in their rematch being overturned to a no-contest.
Brown concedes that Jones` history with performance-enhancing drugs – allegations Jones has consistently denied – represents the primary potential asterisk attached to his career accomplishments in the UFC.
Regarding Jones` legal difficulties, Brown contends that he ultimately faced and defeated essentially every significant challenger he was scheduled to fight throughout his career, with the possible exception of a potential late-career matchup against Tom Aspinall.
“I don`t really see where it obstructed him much,” Brown commented. “He decisively defeated every potential challenger. There was never a point where a particular fighter needed to face Jon Jones, and the fight didn`t materialize. Now, we`re discussing the final phase of his career. We were already aware he was nearing retirement. He himself had spoken about retiring for a considerable period. We knew he was heading towards the exit.”
“Some people will argue that he ducked Tom Aspinall, and I`ll refute that immediately,” Brown asserted. “He is absolutely not ducking Tom Aspinall. Perhaps he wasn`t interested in a fight that challenging – I might concede that point if that`s what you want to say. But ducking? Get the f*ck out of here.”
While certainly not downplaying the severity of Jones` problematic actions, Brown understands from his own experience that issues outside the cage can indeed impact a fighter`s professional life.
Brown specifically expressed astonishment at the fact that Jones tested positive for cocaine from a sample taken just weeks before his fight against Daniel Cormier in 2015, yet still managed to secure a decisive victory.
“I`ve witnessed far fewer screw-ups completely derail someone`s fight career,” Brown remarked. “I`ve used cocaine extensively in my life, though it`s been many years now. I honestly cannot imagine, for the life of me, going into a professional fight, especially against a f*cking Olympian like Daniel Cormier, one of the greatest fighters ever, and having even a f*cking chance.”
He added, “I can`t even picture walking out [to the cage] or weighing in. That is a truly special motherf*cker.”
Naturally, everyone is entitled to their own perspective regarding Jon Jones, but Brown maintains that his focus remains solely on Jones` undeniable accomplishments within the UFC.
Is it possible that Jones could have reached an even more unparalleled status had he avoided all these issues? Perhaps. However, Brown argues that Jones still achieved a remarkably distinguished career regardless.
“Had he not been involved in those incidents, yes, he likely would have fought more often,” Brown said. “And I think he could easily be 60-0 right now if he had wanted to be. In the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions combined, there wouldn`t be a single fighter who didn`t lose to Jon Jones. He simply defeated everyone.”
“He managed to overcome his own obstacles enough to achieve 14 title defenses and maintain an undefeated record [in official fights, barring the Cormier NC]. How much more greatness could we possibly ask for from the guy?”
