Conor McGregor has a dedicated fan in Jon Jones.
During the UFC’s boom period in the 2010s, McGregor and Jones became two of the biggest names in combat sports, with McGregor breaking box office records and claiming titles in two weight classes, and Jones going on a dominant, undefeated run in which he knocked off numerous legends and top contenders. Now, Jones is essentially retired, but he keeps a close eye on the MMA world, and he’s particularly interested in McGregor’s comeback fight.
Next Saturday, McGregor fights for the first time since 2021 when he takes on Max Holloway in the welterweight main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Jones told Red Corner MMA what he admires most about McGregor fighting again is that he could have chosen to walk away from the game and live a life of luxury instead.
“Conor doesn’t need to fight,” Jones said. “He has everything, and I respect the fact that he’s coming back to fight so much because it shows that he’s a fighter in his heart. Me, I’ve got to a certain level, and I decided to walk away. Conor, he’s back and it just shows how much he loves the sport and shows that he’s still that fighter despite having so much success. I’m rooting for him, I’m proud of him, and I think he’s just great.”
As much as Jones and McGregor have been tied together due to their successes, they’re also notorious for their outside-of-the-cage failures. The UFC superstars have compiled quite the rap sheets, with Jones having arrests for a hit-and-run, a DWI, and domestic violence on his record, and McGregor having gone to court for assault, assault and battery, and sexual assault, with the latter being resolved in a civil suit that resulted in McGregor having been found liable.
Still, Jones feels a kinship with McGregor and believes his athletic and business accomplishments are to be respected.
“The businessman that he’s been for our sport, he teaches fighters that we can be more than just fighters,” Jones said. “We can take our brand and do something special with it, which he did with Proper 12 whisky and everything. I’m proud of Conor, I’m a massive fan. I think I will be for the rest of my life.
“He has had a lot of struggles, ups and downs, just like I have, but he always gets back on his feet, which is a huge example to so many out there.”
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