Jon Jones didn’t feel motivated, nervous, or compensated the way he would’ve liked prior to his move to the UFC heavyweight division.
After an over three-year layoff, Jones will return to the octagon to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 285. The event takes place March 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
After the time away, transforming his body to a heavyweight frame, and adding an element of mystery to his skill set, Jones reflected on his final fights at 205 before vacating the light heavyweight title.
” I stopped watching footage so much that it felt more like another day in the office,” Jones stated on Unlocking the Cage With Jimmy Smith . The fear vanished. I didn’t really fear these guys.”
In his most recent appearance, Jones earned a controversial decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020. From there, Jones decided to make the move up in hopes of a fight with then champion Francis Ngannou — who is now a free agent after parting ways with the UFC following his decision win over Gane in January 2022 at UFC 270.
When UFC president Dana White revealed that Ngannou was a free agent, and that Jones will face Gane for the vacant title at UFC 285, White also announced that “Bones” had signed a new eight-fight deal with the promotion. The longtime 205-pound champion clarified that he already had a lengthy deal in play, but this new contract is worth a lot more money — which was another major reason for his decision to move up to heavyweight.
” I wasn’t satisfied with my salary, either. I’m stuck fighting guys like Reyes — who had been dreaming of fighting me, probably since college, and [he] was just relatively unknown to the general public. It was all I desired, to feel nervous again. I wanted to have fear again. I think fear is healthy, and now we’re in this position. The heavyweight division has never been scarier, and I’m glad to be in the middle of it,” Jones said.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/21/23608504/jon-jones-notes-lack-of-fear-unhappiness-with-pay-led-to-heavyweight-move-ahead-ufc-285-ciryl-gane?rand=96749
