Jon Jones Was Scared Before Fighting One UFC Veteran, Had Nightmares of Losing the Fight in Brutal Way

Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones is one of the greatest fighters of all time. He has beaten many UFC legends such as Daniel Cormier, Rashad Evans, Shogun Rau, Glover Teixeira and the list goes on.

Jon Jones has fought the best fighters of his generation and beaten them all. From olympic level wrestlers to world class grapplers, Jones was able to dominate every opponent during his prime.

However, there was one fighter who made Jones nervous before he entered the octagon. And that is UFC veteran, Rampage Jackson. Rampage was one of the scariest knockout artist in the UFC light heavyweight division. And even the great Jon Jones was intimidated before his fight against Rampage Jackson.

A few years ago, Jon Jones confessed how he felt before the fight against Rampage and stated:

“The last time I had major doubt going into a fight, I would have to say it was when I fought ‘Rampage’ Jackson. I had a lot of nightmares leading up to that fight of things not going my way. And for some reason, he just … he intimidated me. He really did.”

What happened in Jon Jones vs Rampage Jackson fight?

Jones defended his light heavyweight title against Rampage Jackson at UFC 135. Even though Jones was intimidated by Rampage’s knockout power he dominated the UFC veteran to secure a 4th round submission win. Jon Jones’ reach and fight IQ was too much to deal with for Rampage.

Jon Jones’ legacy in MMA: Is he the UFC GOAT?

The former UFC light heavyweight champion has 13 title defences in his resume. His accomplishment certainly makes him one of the greatest of all time. However, Jones is aiming to become a two division champion as he makes his heavyweight debut at UFC 285, which is expected to break UFC PPV buys record.

Jones takes on the former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC title. And if Jones secures a victory over Gane that will certainly put the GOAt debate to rest.

Jones’ UFC career has seen many ups and downs including multiple failed drug tests. However, it will be hard to argue against Jones being the MMA GOAT if he becomes the UFC heavyweight champion.