Jon Jones' Darkest Secret EXPOSED - Lack of Heart in Khabib Nurmagomedov Feud Revealed

There’s not much of a case for Jon Jones being the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world anymore. The debate has become increasingly redundant over the past few years, especially after Jones’ highly criticized return to the octagon at UFC 285. However, there was a time, not so long ago that being the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world was more than just an accolade - it was something Jon Jones very much took seriously.

And Jones made sure when it was taken from him by former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, he raised a lot of hue and cry over how unjust it was that he was no longer considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. However, this dramatic revelation, according to some of Jones’ peers, was not just about being at the top of his game - it exposed a deeper character flaw within the usually controlled character of Jon Jones.

But before delving into what many see as a lack of heart from Jon Jones, it would be remiss to understand that for nearly a decade, the erstwhile UFC pound-for-pound king was practically unbeatable. However, at UFC 249, which was also the first time a UFC event took place inside a closed arena amidst the highly infectious COVID-19 pandemic, Khabib Nurmagomedov beat out a then-depleted Gaethje and what followed was more than just a slight upset to many experts - Khabib’s emphatic win led to him assuming the top spot in the UFC rankings for the pound-for-pound division.

Fast-forward a few months, and the highly-vaunted Jones began ranting on Twitter, in both annoyance and arrogance, his hurt that he wasn’t being ranked as the pound-for-pound king despite being on hiatus from the combat sport. Jones has vehemently denied these claims in the years since the highly public spat between the fighters emerged. In fact, only two years after this monumental showdown, Jones proceeded to beat Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 but only through a submission from the quarter-nelson - which certainly does not invoke any new reverence for his legacy due to further controversies. His peer group, however, see the reaction in many ways as a sign of deeper vulnerability - a personal fear of being replaced, rather than about how history might recall his contribution to the rising combat sport.

Consequently, it is safe to say that Jon Jones’ reaction to no longer being ranked as the pound-for-pound king exposed an inner fissure that was hitherto unknown to fans and UFC enthusiasts alike.