Jon Jones, one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts (MMA), has praised Conor McGregor for his impact on the sport and his role in pushing its popularity forward by ten years. Jones acknowledged McGregor’s success and influence during his heyday, which saw him become a global sensation and a two-division world champion within a short span of three years. McGregor’s ability to fill arenas and his involvement in both MMA and boxing allowed him to amass a fortune.
While Jones himself achieved great success in MMA before McGregor’s rise, the two fighters share the distinction of being double champions in their respective divisions. McGregor won titles in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, while Jones conquered the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. Both athletes have also been surrounded by controversy outside the octagon.
During an appearance on the OverDogs podcast, Jones expressed his admiration for McGregor and his desire to see him return to the sport. He praised McGregor’s impact on MMA, describing him as a trailblazer who fast-forwarded the development of the sport by about ten years. Jones commended McGregor’s business acumen, marketability, and mindset, stating that he would always support McGregor and purchase his pay-per-view events.
Jones also drew parallels between McGregor and Sean O’Malley, the newly crowned bantamweight champion who has captivated fans with his charisma and talent. O’Malley’s Irish heritage has endeared him to Irish fans, and his recent world title win attracted a record-breaking crowd in Boston.
Jones expressed his excitement for O’Malley and compared him to McGregor. He admired O’Malley’s raw and authentic approach, as well as his rags-to-riches story that resonates with fans, especially in the United States. Jones expressed a strong desire to see how far O’Malley can go in his career.
Both McGregor and Jones are significant revenue generators for the UFC. Jones recently revealed that he is now earning eight-figure paydays as he prepares for his first heavyweight title defense. He is set to face the legendary former champion Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden in November. McGregor, on the other hand, is still working towards his octagon return, aiming for a December 16 date in Las Vegas. His potential opponent is Michael Chandler, whom he coached against on this season of The Ultimate Fighter.
While both fighters have had their fair share of controversies, their impact on the sport cannot be denied. Jones and McGregor have propelled MMA to new heights and continue to be major attractions for fans. As they navigate the next chapters of their respective careers, their contributions to the sport will be remembered and appreciated.
In conclusion, Jon Jones has credited Conor McGregor with propelling the popularity of MMA and accelerating its growth by ten years. He praised McGregor’s impact, business acumen, and marketability, stating that he would always support and purchase McGregor’s fights. Jones also expressed his excitement for Sean O’Malley, comparing him to McGregor and highlighting his potential in the sport. Both Jones and McGregor are significant earners for the UFC and have left an indelible mark on the world of MMA.
