Jon Jones: "I Want To Do Things Better Than Muhammad Ali"

by **BreakfastGuru** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:36 pm

Jon Jones was asked about the Muhammed Ali comparisons on the UFC 145 pre-fight media call today. Here's what he had to say.

“It adds a little pressure. I find it fun, I just find it fun. You know, that’s all. I definitely don’t consider myself Muhammed Ali. You know, I thought Muhammed Ali had many flaws in the person that he was, but at the same time, you know, I love Muhammed Ali. I’m a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, you know, I’ve watched every interview he’s ever done, I’ve read the Muhammed Ali book, you know I have his autographs by Cassius Clay, I have his autographs by Muhammed Ali. I’m a huge fan, huge fan of Muhammed Ali, but I’m not trying to be Muhammed Ali. I just try to be the best Jonathan B. Jones that there ever was. You know, I want to do things better than Muhammad Ali. So, I just find it fun. You know, I was never came out and was like ‘Yo, I want to be like Ali, and put me on the cover under water’, that was the UFC’s idea. I mean, the people on the outside look at me in a positive regard and I’m truly honored and I think it’s awesome, what it does, for most young fighters it would probably get to their head and they start saying ‘Aw, I’m the man now’, you know, ‘Look at this cover’ – it would deteriorate a lot of young fighters. Me, it motivated me, it empowers me to train harder and realize that if I don’t become great than Muhammed Ali it’s my own fault. So, I realize that and it pushes me harder. That’s why I train five times a day.”

SOURCE: http://www.fightcove.com/ufc-light-heavyweight-champion-jon-jones-comments-on-muhammed-ali-comparisons/

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by **bigbran** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:57 pm

by **BrdrOkm69** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:01 pm

I feel like in every interview Jones does, he tries to point out that he's "humble" even if it's not part of any questions, and to me that just makes him seem more arrogant.

by **rattlestick** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:08 pm

damn you Jon Jones.

by **BestWayKilla** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:23 pm

Do what things better than Ali? Boxing? Interviews? As much as I can't stand Ali's persona from back then, he clearly has Jones beat at both.

by **rattlestick** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:37 pm

one thing about jones that is a source of infinite joy for me personally is the rediscovery of how many haters he really has amongst the hardcore fans.

i used to be fond of him until he started getting media exposure.

damn you jon jones.

by **likes2fightguy** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:27 pm

Really JBJ ? Most of what made Ali so significant is what he represented politically/socially, standing up against the establishment, and being the mouth piece for disenfranchised Black Americans, in a time where there was civil unrest . He was an Icon in the black community because of the turmoil the country was going through, and the position he took. What great battle is JBJ going to fight? Online Piracy? GTFO...

This kid is a hell of a fighter, but his persona is obnoxious IMO. He's trying to hard to be something, instead of just being himself.

by **Over9000ORLY** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:33 pm

likes2fightguy wrote:Really JBJ ? Most of what made Ali so significant is what he represented politically/socially, standing up against the establishment, and being the mouth piece for disenfranchised Black Americans, in a time where there was civil unrest . He was an Icon in the black community because of the turmoil the country was going through, and the position he took. What great battle is JBJ going to fight? Online Piracy? GTFO...

This kid is a hell of a fighter, but his persona is obnoxious IMO. He's trying to hard to be something, instead of just being himself.

Kony 2012 bro.

by **KingJoe** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:48 pm

BrdrOkm69 wrote:I feel like in every interview Jones does, he tries to point out that he's "humble" even if it's not part of any questions, and to me that just makes him seem more arrogant.

he thinks if he keeps saying it it will be true

by **upintheclouds** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:06 pm

I don't see anything wrong with what he said here. He didn't say he's trying to change society or fight the establishment or anything like that. He said he wants to be better than Ali. When you bring up boxing greats one of the first names that come up is Ali. He's said in other interviews he wants to be the best to ever fight (I'm sure people don't like that either) and I don't see anything wrong with that. Everyone wants to be the best, most of the best athletes have that mentality. Look at guys like Michael Jordan, that guy had/has an ego, he still holds grudges today even though he hasn't played basketball in what almost 10 years? It's part of what made him great.

by **TaeKwonDolt** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:10 pm

KingJoe wrote:
BrdrOkm69 wrote:I feel like in every interview Jones does, he tries to point out that he's "humble" even if it's not part of any questions, and to me that just makes him seem more arrogant.

he thinks if he keeps saying it it will be true

He's taking that Greg Jackson Yoda Visualization shit wayyyy to seriously.

by **RyoJi** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:14 pm

Humble this kid already Rashad. He would be the perfect fighter if he had someone like Fedor's personality. What a waste of talent.

by **TaeKwonDolt** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:26 pm

RyoJi wrote:Humble this kid already Rashad. He would be the perfect fighter if he had someone like Fedor's personality. What a waste of talent.

Care to enter the Sig Bet world 0-1?

I'll take Jones...pM me and we'll set it up.

by **Jetli** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:28 pm

He gets more pathetic everytime he opens his mouth.

by **RustyCooter** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:44 pm

RyoJi wrote:Humble this kid already Rashad. He would be the perfect fighter if he had someone like Fedor's personality. What a waste of talent.

What does personality have to do with fighting?