Matt Riddle is one of the few men who can say they’ve beaten Jon Jones.
Going back to their high school wrestling days, Riddle and Jones competed on two occasions with the WWE star picking up victories both times. Since then, Jones has gone on to become arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, but not without controversy.
Jones’ lone MMA loss came via illegal downward elbows landed when facing Matt Hamill in Dec. 2009. Later down the line, Jones lost his title multiple times due to drug test failures, one of which overturned a Daniel Cormier second-round knockout into a no-contest at UFC 214.
Getting the chance to pick Riddle’s brain on the recent DC & RC, Jones’ biggest career rival couldn’t help but instigate a bit.
“You and I have crossed paths, we have lived similar lives in regards to competition,” Cormier said. “You, on the other hand, have done something once that I have never done; you beat Jon Jones. So, my question to you is this, Riddle … do you think Jon Jones was cheating you at that time as much as he cheated me or do you think he played fair and that’s why you won? That’s all I gotta know.”
Despite having moved past MMA, Riddle, 36, has expressed interest in a third match with Jones at some point, but has nothing bad to say about the light heavyweight legend’s career.
“I’ll say that Jon Jones, like him or not, he’s always been a top-tier competitor since I’ve known him since high school and throughout his UFC career and etc.,” Riddle said. “He might — I’m not gonna get into anything else, but I don’t think when I beat him he was cheating yet. I don’t think he used any PEDs or was on any stimulants or anything like that. I think he was young.
“I remember his family was always there and it was a very family-oriented environment. Jon was always super kind to me and so was his whole family. But I think he was still on the straight and narrow then, bro. But I think that helped.”
Riddle had one of the rarer MMA careers during his run, competing exclusively in the UFC as a welterweight from his professional debut off The Ultimate Fighter 7 in June 2008, to early 2013. The Allentown, Pennsylvania native’s marijuana use ultimately cost him his job with the ultimate proving ground, however, before so many test failures led to his release and a fight in Titan FC.
After one post-UFC victory, Riddle was off to a flourishing career as a professional wrestler.
“I’ve heard some stories and stuff like that [about Jones] but I don’t know if they’re factual or fiction,” Riddle said. “You know, a lot of people say crazy things. But he’s failed some tests. I’m not gonna say anything because I’ve failed some tests, too. I don’t wanna go there. I don’t throw rocks, I live in a glass house, you know what I’m saying, bro? But all I know is I think he was young and still just working his way up.”
TOP STORIES
Advice. Tyron Woodley praises Anderson Silva but warns anyone underestimating Jake Paul: ‘He’s got KO power’
Suspicion. Aljamain Sterling already made peace that he’ll be fighting a ‘souped up’ T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280
Highlight. Justin Gaethje targeting 2023 return, believes he’s 2 or 3 wins away from next UFC title shot
Confidence. Brett Johns calls out James Gallagher for Ireland card and tells Bellator ‘if I don’t finish him, cut me’
VIDEO STEW
Top finishes from UFC Vegas 62 fighters.
Manon Fiorot on UFC Connected.
RIZIN Landmark 4 promo.
DeCoursey’s big win.
BTS with Sterling.
UFC 280 Film study.
Adesanya gym fight.
Merab the truck driver…?
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Aljamain Sterling and Jake Paul.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck reacts to Alexander Volkanovski’s reveal as UFC 280 main event backup.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Crazy!
Imagine having a negative opinion about me just for me to not give a sh*t ♀️
— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) October 11, 2022
As it should be.
For those who asked, yes, yes the @InvictaFights title does basically come everywhere with me. I’ve basically incorporated it into my everyday attire lol. pic.twitter.com/UbnvIeeoLP
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) October 10, 2022
Mullet Mania.
Starting early.
さくちゃんが頑張ったら父ちゃんも試合頑張れるじゃろ！
と、4試合頑張りました
前日まで緊張する緊張するぅと言いながら座禅をしていましたが☝️笑
今回オール1本勝ちでしたが課題は盛り沢山なので、1月22日に福山である全国大会までにしっかりチームで練習していきたいと思います✊#アマチュア修斗 pic.twitter.com/UE7D7rOTF7— 藤井惠 Megumi Fujii (@MegaMeguCat) October 12, 2022
Fun.
Getting stitches removed pic.twitter.com/mV4gpAc2qQ
— Jalin Turner (@JalinTurner) October 12, 2022
We see you, Drew…
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) October 12, 2022
Cowboy.
Soon.
Intensity.
Fight week flashback.
Mama Panda.
Still at it.
Living the dream.
Woke up in paradise… having coffee and donuts w/ my bae pic.twitter.com/lz7lEnk4Lg
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) October 11, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kiamrian Abbasov (23-5) vs. Christian Lee (16-4); ONE on Prime Video 4, Nov. 18
Natalia Silva (13-5-1) vs. Tereza Bleda (6-0); UFC Vegas 65, Nov. 19
Julia Budd (16-4) vs. Aspen Ladd (9-3); 2022 PFL Championship, Nov. 25
Niko Price (15-5) vs. Phil Rowe (9-3); UFC Orlando, Dec. 3
Tai Tuivasa (15-4) vs. Sergei Pavlovich (16-1); UFC Orlando, Dec. 3
Alexander Gustafsson (18-8) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (26-16); UFC 282, Dec. 10
FINAL THOUGHTS
Matt Riddle truly is a bro’s bro.
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
