Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans and the Ultimate Test of Champions: Friend vs. Friend

Anyone who pays attention to Ariel Helwani‘s interviews with Dana White is well aware of Dana’s view on “friends fighting friends” or more accurately stated, “friends not fighting friends.”

If I were to guess, I would say that most of the MMA world agrees with him, myself included. We all knew it was only a matter of time before Dana put his foot down. Finally, he’s had enough childishness and along with Joe Silva, has solidified a historical bout between the newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and number one contender, Rashad Evans.

The current and former champions were friends and training partners, helping each other prepare for upcoming fights and training together under world-class MMA trainer, Greg Jackson at Jackson’s gym in Albuquerque, NM.

Jackson’s method of training involves intense strategy and flawless execution and application of his teachings; often acting more as a traditional sensei in regards to the morale or “martial code of conduct” he instills in all of his students.

This morale is rooted in the traditional ways of ancient martial arts and is actually a great way to conduct one’s self, both inside and outside of the gym or dojo, respectively. It also seems to involve some level of sworn allegiance to each of the other fighters or “teammates” and instills the notion that “Friends don’t fight friends.”

While that logic makes perfect sense socially, it creates tremendous and costly problems professionally. Professional fighters should honor the sport, the fans and their chosen career path and fight whoever is given to them, regardless of their friendship. We always hear fighters say, “I’ll fight anyone, any place, and any time.” As it turns out, not all of them mean it.

With that being said, I’d like to explore the idea of Evans and Jones being the first to "break the bond" and the possibilit­y of them setting a new trend for other "friends" who refuse to fight each other.

Two of the largest MMA camps producing the largest number of professional fighters currently fighting in the UFC are American Kickboxing Academy and Jackson’s-Winkeljohn’s Mixed Martial Arts. Between these two camps are three current UFC champions, many former UFC champions and numerous top contenders at multiple weight classes. It’s inevitable that the top talent eventually faces off inside the Octagon; mathematic probability tells us this will happen if everyone continues to fight in the UFC.

Once the first “Friend vs. Friend” fight is over with, I hope to see more and more fighters break with their camps and set off on a new path in hope of accomplishing their dreams.

I believe that a fighter can actually become too comfortable training with the same partners and in the same environment time and time again, for each and every fight. Being taken out of our comfort zone can be a positive experience if we allow it to be and I believe it is essential to progression in any area or walk of life, especially a fighter’s.

With the top 2 UFC Light Heavyweight fighters leading the way, we can only hope that the rest of the “friends” and “teammates” will take notice of what it means to be a professional fighter and leave their friendship outside the Octagon should the time come to do so.

Life is full of obstacles and hardships if we choose to see them as such. These same obstacles can become challenges should we choose to accept them. To face and conquer your fears is the true test of a champion and is what fighting is all about.

Let’s hope that these great athletes and mixed martial artists will set an example for the generations of young fighters still to come and that the sport can grow to overcome this obstacle once and for all.