Jon Jones: I’m sorry I’m coming across as cocky

5615395891 be08528eefJon Jones was 6-0 when he first stepped into the Octagon, defeating Andre Gusmao via unanimous decision at UFC 87.  From there he went on to defeat Stephan Bonnar, again securing a unanimous decision.  After that, none of his fights would go the distance and his only loss would be a disqualification for delivering 12 to 6 elbows to Matt Hamill in their December 2009 match up.

Early in his run with the UFC, Jones was looked upon as a humble fighter, someone with great talent, but without a sense of braggadocio to him. That opinion of Jones changed quickly and fans were calling the young fighter, cocky and overconfident.

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That talk didn’t end after he captured the UFC light heavyweight title from Mauricio Rua. It didn’t end when he choked out Quinton Jackson and it may have even increased a bit when he dropped an unconscious Lyoto Machida to the ground at UFC 140. Through it all one thing remained constant, Jones didn’t see himself as a cocky or arrogant person.

My road wasn’t easy, by any means. That’s why when people call me cocky, it’s, like, the biggest blow I can get. It’s like, ‘It’s not me! I’m sorry I’m coming across that way.’ I don’t think I’m better than ­anyone.” Jones continued, “I can’t please everyone. Some people are going to love you, and some are going to hate you, no matter what you do.” – for more see Men’sJournal

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Further Reading: Jon Jones says attempting to harm Rashad Evans will be “kind of trippy”

Photo: UFC fighter Jon Jones before his fight against Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC-Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko at the San Diego Sports Arena on August 1, 2010, in San Diego, California. Francis Specker