Jon Jones says he is now learning to embrace his antagonist image.
In preparation for the grudge rematch between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones at UFC 214, the UFC put out a promotional video entitled “Tame Your Demons”. It basically highlighted the respective titles runs of both men, and it obviously included Jones’ run-ins with the law that led to the stripping of his title, as well his drug test mishaps.
It can easily be looked at as a “good guy vs. bad guy” storyline, and Jones himself recently admitted that the allegations of him being a PED user have begun to get under his skin. But during Wednesday’s pre-fight presser in Anaheim, “Bones” says he is now fully embracing his “heel” image and everything that comes with it.
“It’s all out there in the public. And that’s a freeing feeling to be looked at as a piece of sh-t by so many people,” Jones said (via MMA Fighting). “And to be able to just be real for yourself and to take responsibility for the things you’ve done wrong.”
“I feel so free, man. It’s a great feeling to be who I am. Jon Jones, the f--k up. Jon Jones, the great. However, you look at me, it’s just great to be me. Alive. Whether you like me or hate me. It’s just a great feeling to be relevant.“
“I think my story is gonna really inspire somebody else who has f—ked up,” he continued. “It's gonna really inspire somebody else. To realize that it is not over. ‘Man, if Jon Jones can come back from the sh-t that he's been through and ultimately win and be the champion he’s always been capable of being, [I can do it].’”
Jones also admitted that he was trying to put up a clean image when he won the title in 2011 and became the youngest UFC world champion. It was just that he had encountered major slip-ups along his way up the ladder to further success and fame.
“The first time I watched (the promo video), I was uncomfortable with it, because it showed me talking in 2011 and saying how I would never want to do something that would harm the image of the sport. That was genuine, man,” Jones said. “I never intended on having an image of being the bad guy. I really didn’t.”
“Somewhere along the way, I got lost, man. I got caught up in my own sh-t. I started having fun and partying — and still winning. I just took it all for granted. Genuinely, I really wanted to be an inspiration to other people and to inspire people and be a role model.”
Jones and Cormier will finally get to have their long overdue rematch on Saturday, July 29th, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.