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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"When I first saw it I was a little offended by it. That UFC - someone who is supposed to be backing my brand and making me look good - would put up something like that for the general public to see. I don't think it's really healthy for the world to see their champion - for the world to see UFC's champion - saying I would kill someone. That really took me off guard. I didn't really think it was in my best interest, but it was for UFC's best interest, so I kind of had to swallow my pride. I said it."
-UFC Champ Jon Jones talked to Fox Sports 1's UFC Tonight about the UFC using he and Daniel Cormier's un-aired satellite exchange from August for the UFC 182 video promo (transcribed by MMAMania.com).
Penick's Analysis: This is the exact thing that holds Jones back for a lot of fans. He just doesn't own things. He's tried to present himself certain ways, when his personality just naturally betrays the image he tries to project. And to be clear, it's OK for him to be a cocky asshole outside of the cage. It is. Indeed, if he owned that aspect of himself - which has come out in some pettier exchanges on social media and obviously in the exchange with Cormier in question - it would give fans reason to outright hate him or to wholly get behind him. He's tried to play both sides of the fence, which leaves lukewarm reaction more often than not. Fans haven't bought into Jones as the "respectful, honorable Champion," precisely because he's had plenty of these other moments. So if anything, the UFC here is showcasing their Champion as he is, and if Jones doesn't want to be perceived that way, he shouldn't say the types of things he often says.
[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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