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

Jon 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.

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

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