UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes Jon Jones is the ‘smartest’ fighter ever.
‘Bones’ is widely regarded as the greatest of all time after a Hall of Fame run in MMA.
Joe Rogan insists that being smarter than most has been key to Jon Jones remaining on top for so long.
The popular podcaster recently used UFC 151 to demonstrate just how switched on the two-weight UFC champion is.
Joe Rogan praises Jon Jones for controversial decision
Jon Jones was supposed to defend his light heavyweight title against Dan Henderson in September 2012.
However, an injury to the challenger led to the UFC trying to set up a late-notice fight with Chael Sonnen.
Jones refused to face Sonnen eight days’ notice, and the UFC cancelled an event for the first time in its history.
The American fighter’s decision still doesn’t sit right with some fans 13 years later, but Rogan believes that his ability to put his (almost) perfect record above money and pleasing people is what makes Jones the GOAT.
“Jon Jones is the smartest,” Rogan said on his podcast. “They changed opponents. ‘F— you, fight’s off’.
“Even guys like Chael Sonnen, who he eventually stomped in the first round. Like, absolutely destroyed. It was not even remotely competitive. It was an annihilation. It would’ve been an annihilation 365 days a year for decades.
“As great as Chael Sonnen is, Jon Jones was the bigger man. Chael had fought at 185lbs, Jon was a big 205’er, he was the most talented guy that ever fought in the sport, and he’s gonna win every time.
“But when they changed the opponent and tried to make it Chael Sonnen, he was like, ‘Nope. We do things the right way. I go through a full camp. That’s it, the fight is off’. Everybody was like, ‘Ah!’ Because they want you to play ball.
“To this day, everybody says he is the GOAT. Why’s he the GOAT? Because he did everything the right way.
“If you try to call Jon Jones in for a late-notice fight on five days’ notice, he‘ll tell you to go f— yourself.”
What’s next for Jon Jones?
Jon Jones hasn’t fought since knocking out Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.
Talks are ongoing for a heavyweight indication fight with interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.
UFC boss Dana White insists that the fight is ‘done’, just not done enough to publicly announce.
It seems Jones vs Aspinall will take place at some point this year, but exactly when and where is unclear.
For now, MMA fans are impatiently waiting for an official update on the latest UFC superfight.
