The term GOAT (Greatest of All Time) gets thrown around a lot more loosely today than ever before, at least amongst the fans of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). While many consider Jon Jones as the GOAT, others think the likes of Anderson Silva or GSP take the throne by a mile, mostly due to Jones’ steroid allegations hailing from the past.
After capturing the UFC heavyweight gold at UFC 285, Jon had more than just one thing to say during his post-fight interviews and pressers. In the post-fight show, when Jon Anik asked Jones about the GOAT debate, the Albuquerque resident had something interesting to say.
Jon said, “There has never been a fight that means more to me than beating Stipe Miocic. I don’t think I’ve ever fought a GOAT and people consider him the greatest heavyweight of all time. None of my past champions that I’ve beat were considered GOATs, so this GOAT vs GOAT [matchup] means the world to me.”
Not only this, during the UFC 285 fight week, Jon was asked in an interview if he could name his top 5 MMA fighters of all time. The name ‘Daniel Cormier‘ was absent from the aforementioned list as well. Jon went on to mention himself, Anderson Silva, GSP, Khabib, and Jose Aldo, moving down from the top.
Fans react to Jon Jones’ recent statement on Daniel Cormier
The GOAT argument is something that will always remain a debatable subject amongst fans and fighters alike. However, the fans didn’t take too long to express how they felt about Jon’s recent claims, many being unhappy that he didn’t consider his long-time arch-nemesis, Daniel Cormier, as one of the GOATs.
Never fought a goat? Is bro forgetting that he fought DC and beat him twice?
— ً (@SectifiedYRK) March 5, 2023
DC was always in the goat conversation and Jones beat him.
— Joe (@MMAaccountyeah) March 6, 2023
DC? what a disrespect.
— Your Dad. (@Mutineer_M1) March 5, 2023
Pretty sure Jon will beat/finish Stipe within the first two rounds of the fight #UFC285
— Rod (@GGCIR8991) March 5, 2023
Whether DC belongs to the Mount Rushmore of MMA or not, ‘Bones’ has definitely cemented his legacy at the very top of it. Jones, who has had 16 title fights in his UFC career so far, became the undisputed heavyweight champion last night after submitting Ciryl Gane via guillotine submission at UFC 285.
Has DC done enough in his career to be considered a GOAT? Or is this just a part of Jones’ mind games? Let us know in the comments down below.
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