J. Jones at a press conference after the UFC 239. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC
Before the clash between Dustin poirier e Khabib Nurmagomedov, held this Saturday (7), in Abu Dhabi, valid for the unification of the lightweight title (up to 70,3kg.), Jon Jones had declared his support for the North American. The reason, according to 'Bones', is due to the fact that the Russian is a training partner for Daniel Cormier, his eternal rival. Jones commented on the speech in a recent interview with 'MMA Junkie'. In the fight, Khabib beat Poirier via submission in the third round.
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“I'm rooting for Poirier because we are business partners. We work together and, frankly, I don't like my training partners. Daniel Cormier (Khabib and Daniel are part of the AKA – American Kickboxing Academy team). So, I’m rooting for Poirier,” said Jon before the duel.
Jones and DC have built, over the years, one of the greatest rivalries in MMA history. The athletes have already faced each other on two occasions, both for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg). In the first meeting, in 2015, 'Bones' beat his rival with a unanimous decision from the judges. In the second fight, Jon won again, this time by knockout, but the result of the fight was later changed to 'no contest', after Jones was caught in an anti-doping test.
Although the support has been publicly declared for the American, Jones stated that he is aware of Khabib's indisputable qualities, whom he praised. Furthermore, the welterweight champion (up to 93kg) also said that, if he had to bet money, he would place his chips on the Russian, even though he has no empathy for the 'Eagle'.
“Khabib is a wrestler. I'm a wrestler and, generally, wrestlers can dictate where the fight goes. If I had to bet money, I would side with Khabib, but I expect Poirier to win.
After beating Dustin, Khabib made a statement that indirectly involved 'Bones'. In the press conference after the event, the Russian asked Ultimate to be more valued and to place him in first place in the weight-for-pound ranking among all the company's athletes, which today has Jon in first place, a place he occupied after Daniel's setback to Stipe Miocic last month, which resulted in the athlete losing his heavyweight belt (up to 120,2kg.).
Currently, Nurmagomedov is in second place. The Russian declared that his unbeaten record in his career, which, this Saturday, was increased to 28 duels, and hegemony in the sport are worthy of being ranked as the best in the UFC.
The ranking update should take place this week.
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