MMA all-time great Jon Jones returns to the Octagon to face former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in a huge heavyweight title fight this weekend at UFC 309. But, despite “Bones'” stellar career, one of the most prominent coaches in the game doesn’t put him at the top of the sport’s GOAT list.
Head coach of American Kickboxing Academy Javier Mendez said that Jones’ past issues with the anti-doping authorities mean that, while he should rightly be considered among the very best the sport has seen, he isn’t the sport’s greatest of all time.
“He’ll go down as one of the greatest, no doubt, whether he wins or loses,” Mendez told CanadaCasino.ca.
“Personally, I wouldn’t call him the greatest, because of what he’s done in fights and what he’s been caught for.”
Mendez likened Jones’ status to that of former cycling great Lance Armstrong, whose accomplishments in road racing were tainted by his doping issues.
“It’s the same as Lance Armstrong,” he explained.
“He was stripped of his titles. I’m sorry, but if this is legit sport I feel there should be accountability in sports.
“So, while Jones is one of the greatest, in my book, Khabib is the greatest. (His misdemeanors) should affect how he’s remembered.
“In all other sports it matters, so why does it not hold true here? Why is it in the Olympics and you get caught for something, why do you lose the gold medal? There’s always going to be a question mark over Jones because of that.”
Javier Mendes says Jon Jones has all the advantages against Stipe Miocic
Mendez also gave his take on Jones’ upcoming bout with Miocic at UFC 309 and said that the former light heavyweight champion has the advantage in almost all departments against two-time former heavyweight champ.
“Man, Stipe’s a great guy, but I just don’t know. In every department Stipe is good at, I see Jon being better,” he said.
“Stand-up, ground game, everything that Stipe excels at, I see Jon being superior. In terms of size, you can’t even say Stipe is bigger now. Jon might actually be bigger come fight time. Height-wise, Stipe doesn’t have an edge, and chin-wise, Jon has the advantage, never having been knocked out.
“On the ground, Jon has submitted people. Even wrestling-wise, Jon might be better. Stipe is one of the greatest heavyweights, maybe the greatest heavyweight, but with Jon Jones… I don’t know. When you’re comparing talent in each area, Jones is ahead in every department. Stipe is so tough. But I can see it going five rounds because Stipe is a tough customer.”
Javier Mendez says Jon Jones could face Alex Pereira next, but Tom Aspinall is his most dangerous rival
With both fighters approaching the end of their respective careers, the fight at Madison Square Garden could mark the end of the road for either, or both, of the two UFC legends. And Mendez said that if Jones gets the victory, there really isn’t too much else left for him to prove.
“Logically, you would think we’d get a double retirement, right?” he said.
“What does Jon have left to prove? He’s been at the top of the heap for so long, and as you said, most people do consider him the greatest of all time. What else does he have left to prove?”
However, if Jones did opt to continue, talk would then turn to his next opponent. Jones has repeatedly distanced himself from a title unification bout with the interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and instead hinted that a fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira would interest him more.
“I definitely could see Pereira next for Jones,” admitted Mendez.
“He’s a fan favourite, a champion warrior like I’ve never seen before. He’ll take a fight on two weeks’ notice against the best guy in another division. I’ve never in my life seen that. He’s special, one of a kind, so I’m not surprised by anything that could happen with Alex. He says ‘yes’ to everybody.
“I do think Jones vs. Pereira is a bigger fight than Jones vs. Aspinall. Pereira is such a fan favourite, and he’s been active. People respect him a lot. I think Aspinall might be the more dangerous guy for Jones, but worldwide, Pereira would be the favourite that people would want to see with Jones.”
But, in terms of which fight would present the greater danger to Jones’ heavyweight title reign, Mendez was clear.
“I think Aspinall can beat Jones. I think he’s the biggest threat to Jones,” he said.
“Personally, from watching Aspinall, I’ve thought he was going to be the heir to the title ever since I saw him fight way back.
“I talked about him being incredible, and I definitely think he is the one, out of everyone, who has the best chance to beat Jones.”
