Jon Jones is making the media rounds now after his UFC 128 win over Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua. Jones says not much has changed since becoming champion, but that's not really true. He's gone from doing interviews on Blog Talk Radio to 'The Tonight Show' with Jay Leno and Dan LeBatard, who hosts a nationally-syndicated radio show. If nothing else, his media game is moving on up to the east side.
Jon Jones Talks Rashad Evans, Shogun Rua On Dan LeBatard’s Radio Show
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was a guest on Dan LeBatard’s radio show on ESPN 790 The Ticket in Miami, Florida. He talked about his previous fight with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Rashad Evans, being on MMA’s pound-for-pound lists, and more.
In any event, Jones talked about a variety of topics, including how easily he beat Rua, his pending fight with former teammate Rashad Evans and whether he belongs on pound-for-pound fighter rankings:
How surprised he was at how easily he beat Rua:
“Yeah I was surprised. I made the statement before the fight that I was excited about the fight because I would go through a lot of adversity through the fight and learn a lot about fighting which I did. But yeah I was definitely expecting more of a bloody war, but hard work pays off.”
What has changed since becoming the champion:
“A lot of people are a lot more friendly, I get referred to as champ a lot, but besides that things are pretty much the same. Just hanging out with my family and trying to keep it as close to normal as possible.”
Whether or not he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC:
“That’s everyone else’s opinion. I just try to be the best I can be each moment I’m living. (Host: They can have their opinion.) Okay, Okay. I will say it. I think I’m getting pretty good. (Host: Yes or no, you consider yourself one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world?) Yeah I do. I do.”
If he wants to be the best:
“Yeah absolutely. That’s my goal to be the best champion ever.”
What happened with the robber prior to his fight:
“I pull up to a park and I see this guy sprinting away and this woman saying somebody just broke into my house and went up to my car and I need help. Me and my coaches were chasing after this guy. We catch the guy, give the woman her GPS back, and it was a wonderful day. I did what most men would do so I don’t know.”
On his upcoming fight with Evans:
“It’s gonna be a great fight. We train together and I’m sure he has an idea of what he needs to do against me, but I’m excited for the fight. There’s a lot of things that he needs to study. I’ve already found a lot of tendencies in his game. I’m very confident and I’m excited.”
None of these answers are particularly compelling. They’re not controversial either. Any champion worth his weight in salt will strive to be the best champion ever or make their way onto pound-for-pound lists.
Still, I think the build-up to the fight with Evans is going to be particularly contentious, sensitive and ultimately very angry. This isn’t even the tip of the iceberg.
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