The MMA Q & A: Jon Jones

photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle.com

The MMA Q&A: Jon Jones

Written by Brad Rysz

Highlights: MMAMadness.com sat down with UFC fighter Jon Jones for a question and answer session.

Jon Jones made a name for himself when he defeated veteran Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94 on January 31, 2009. Jones was all over the place in that fight and used a variety of wrestling moves to get an advantage over Bonnar. He won the fight by unanimous decision and immediately caught the eye of the light heavyweight division.

At only 21 years old, Jones is one of the most intriguing young fighters out there. His next fight is scheduled to be against Jake O’Brien at UFC 100. MMAMadness.com sat down with Jones to learn that not only is he a talented fighter, but a pretty funny dude as well.

Q: Mentally, what was it like jumping from the WCF to the UFC?

A: It was a big jump, mentally. I try to keep my mind clear as far as trying to put people on a pedestal just because they have a big name. So, I guess the only real big difference was the level of publicity and the number of people who knew what was going on. As far as being nervous, I wasn’t really nervous to jump up into such a big stage. Everyone is the same, we all put our pants on the same in the morning and everyone can be beat.

Q: If you could fight anybody, who would it be? Who is your dream opponent?

JJ: I never call opponents out. I just believe that whoever Joe Silva finds me to fight, that guy will be my destiny. That’s the guy that I’ll be obsessed with for months leading up to the fight. As far as calling out any specific person, whoever is going to push me, whoever is better than me, is who I’d like to fight.

Q: Who are your role models in the sport of MMA?

JJ: Anderson Silva is my idol. I look up to him a lot and study tons of his footage. I like to fight his style of fighting when it comes to standup fighting. Pretty much Anderson Silva is number one, Georges St. Pierre is number two.

Q: Have you had a chance to meet any of your idols?

JJ: I met St. Pierre on a couple of occasions. We eventually fought together. On my first two fights he was on the same card, and my next fight he’ll be on that card. I think he’s a phenomenal person. He takes time for everyone and is a great champion.

Q: What decided to make you an MMA fighter?

JJ: I did college athletics. I was a wrestler in college. You know, nothing lasts forever and once wrestling was over for me, MMA was the next closest thing, the next best thing. I kind of felt empty inside, you know being an MMA fighter helped fill the void. I was working at the same time and it was just perfect for me.

Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

JJ: Five years from now I see myself having a belt in the light heavyweight division. Or if not having the belt, being one of the top contenders. It would be ideal for me to be a very thin heavyweight with a belt, maybe weighing around 230 and having a UFC belt around my waist.

Q: Your brothers are great athletes. Do they help you out?

JJ: Oh yeah, and they still do help me out. Arthur is a Big East football player and my youngest brother, Chandler is 6’6’’, 250. We’ve been fooling around for years and I give them huge credit for my success. I have two, big athletic workout partners whenever I need them and I’m honestly the runt in my family. I was the least athletic out of all of them in high school and was working out with two super-studs all the time. It’s such a great combination to have.

Q: What do you think of Dana White as your boss?

JJ: Dana White is a phenomenal business man. A lot of people have negative things to say about him because of the way he handles money and is so strict about money. He’s looking out for himself and a few years ago MMA was nothing. This guy has made the UFC a franchise and a multi-million dollar company. I have respect for what he’s doing for our sport and I look up to the guy a lot. He’s a great person.

Q: As far as sponsors, who is your favorite?

JJ: The coolest sponsor I’ve ever had is probably Silverstar. I just signed on with those guys and they don’t sponsor too many other guys. I’m one of only four UFC guys they sponsor and I respect them taking a risk on me. I’m such a young fighter with only two fights and they believe in me and try to pick me up.

Q: Does that give you any additional pressure?

JJ: No, it doesn’t give me any additional pressure at all. It just gives me more confidence in myself. I’m trying to prove to myself and other people that my last fight wasn’t a fluke and that I can do it again. I want all my fights to be that exciting. It gives me confidence that I can do this and that I belong in that caliber.

Q: What’s your biggest dream?

JJ: To be a UFC champion. A true champion. Defend it as many times as I can. And be done with the sport with a good head on my shoulders. Not take too many hits throughout my career. Then I want to open up a school and use this gift that God gave me to live an easy and fun life.

Q: What is something that people don’t know about you?

JJ: I’m a video game freak. I love video games. It keeps me out of trouble and keeps me in the house.

Q: Have you played the UFC game yet?

JJ: It’s not out yet. If they put me in the game hopefully they customize my character. I really take pride in having a unique style and being different than your typical fighter. If I was ever in the game I’d hope they really make a customized Jon Jones character with spinning back-kicks and all the wild stuff I try in fights.

Q: Hook me up with all your nicknames…

JJ: I totally just made them up, but it’s Johnny Bones, JJ. That’s about it.

Q: So the “African Assassin” was totally hype?

A: I was just joking because Jake O’Brien went with “Irish Jake O’Brien”, so I’ll be the “African Assassin”.

Q: Do you think there’s any advantage to being the UFC fighter with the longest reach in history?

JJ: Yeah, there’s definitely an advantage to it, but I haven’t really found it yet and haven’t been using it. In my first two fights I haven’t really thrown lots of combinations. I’m really methodical when I fight. I try to think outside the box when I’m fighting and don’t like to stand in front of people throwing punches. The goal of the fight is to hit but not get hit. Having the longest arms is an advantage but I’m not much of a puncher so I haven’t really been utilizing it.

Brad Rysz's work can be found every week on MMAMadness.com.