Jon Jones opens up about the emotional link between his late mother and his new UFC 309 custom shorts
Jon Jones will be wearing custom gear for what could be his final fight this Saturday, but this one has more meaning than most.
The legendary two-division world champion takes on all-time heavyweight great Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden in the main event of UFC 309 on Saturday. And he is keen to make the most of it after entertaining the idea of retiring with a victory.
Part of that experience will be wearing new custom gear that pays tribute to his late mother Camille. It will be a night of many emotions for the New York native at the worldâs most famous arena, and that feeling began today as fight week kicked off.
Who is Jon Jones? Inside the life and career of one of the greatest UFC fighters in historyJon Jones details emotional meaning behind custom UFC 309 shortsThe new UFC Venum deal has paved the way for a number of fighters to get custom world title fight trunks. Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria, Dustin Poirier and others have been given flashy designs that have excited fighters and fans alike.
But it seems there is extra significance for Jon Jones, who appeared to get very deep into his thoughts when faced with a pair in real life during a recent video on social media. He appeared amazed by the detail, which includes a lion logo and his favorite bible verse; an ode to his mother Camille.
Jones, who has three brothers that are all NFL stars, lost his mother in 2017 to diabetes at the age of just 55. He will pay tribute to her with a reference to the Philippians 4:13 verse, which he says that she would regularly reference.
âI am so excited about these,â he told cameras from the UFC Europe social media page. âItâs got the lion, my favorite bible verse, the cross, my last name. Letâs go.
âPhilippians 4:13, itâs just my mom used to recite it to me all the time, my late mother; âI can do all things through Christ who gives me strengthâ. I believe it sincerely in my heart that with God all things are possible.
âThis is my super power, my relationship [with God] and my faith. God has brought me through so many personal battles. Not only in the octagon but in life he has sustained me and given me strength in some really hard times.
âSo I canât be convinced that God isnât real because of the relationship that we have and the affect that he has had on my life. So Philippians 4:13? I live by it, I had it tattooed on my chest and I try to stand behind it any time that I do anything, so Iâm super grateful to have these.â
Jon Jones could retire after UFC 309 showdown with Stipe MiocicIt is unclear what exactly will be next for Jones after he faces Miocic on Saturday night, but at 37-years-old the veteran fighter has been eyeing the door. For a solid chunk of the fightâs build-up he insisted that it was his last fight, although that stance has softened.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesThere is always the challenge of interim champion Tom Aspinall, who has won and defended his version of the belt in the time since Jonesâ last world title fight. But it seems that he isnât keen on the fight, and would rather hang up his gloves than offer a chance to unify.
Back in September, âBonesâ told Clocked Nâ Loaded at UFC 306 that this Saturday is likely the last time fans will get the chance to see him in the cage. Jones said: âI feel great, I feel really, really good, 250lb lean and strong. This is going to be the last time. More than likely.â
But Jon Jones may also stick around to fight Alex PereiraHowever, he has since softened that stance considerably, noting that he is leaving his options open for a potential super-fight. His criteria, however, leaves out Aspinall who he feels does not have a sufficient legacy to qualify for such a meeting.
âI have this feeling that it could be the last one,â he told the New York Post. âBut Iâm also open for it not being the last one. Iâve just got to take it the way Iâve always taken it which is one fight at a time. Being on top of this sport for so long, you feel like you have such a large target on your back.
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âIâve learned that being in the future only creates anxiety, so at the end of the day no matter how much competition is in the world they can only fight me one at a time. So I just take it one fight at a time. Iâll focus on beating Stipe first and then whoâs next will come and I will give him my undivided attention.â
And while Aspinall is not on the hitlist, he did name the current light-heavyweight champion as a potential opponent, saying: âAlex Pereira though, thatâs somebody that interests me. He had great sagas with Israel Adesanya and heâs beat Jamahal Hill, this guy is a champion killer like myself. That type of stuff entices me.â
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