Jon Jones just can’t seem to get over with UFC fans.
Despite being the longest-reigning title holder in the light heavyweight division’s history, Jones is usually greeted by a chorus of boos when he walks down the aisle.
Yesterday, UFC commentator Joe Rogan finally opened up as to why he thinks the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC remains as unpopular as he is.
“I don’t know why Jon is not more loved or popular than he is,” Rogan said on his podcast. “I don’t understand it. In my opinion, I will never miss a Jon Jones f***ing pay-per-view. I’ve heard people say, ‘Oh, he’s cocky. He’s this and [that].’ I wonder what the f**k is going on with that and I’m going to throw this out there, I’m just going to say it: I wonder how much of it is racism. I really do.
“You know why? Because I think they look at him as this cocky black guy and I think a lot of people have an issue with that. I think that if he was a white guy and he was doing the same thing, a la a Chael Sonnen, I think he would be way more popular. Chael was never the successful athlete that Jon is, but I think Chael was way more successful as a promoter than Jon is. Jon has not been nearly as cocky or outwardly braggadocious as Chael was.”
Another theory that fans point to is the fact that Jones has taken out so many UFC fan faves during his career. His list of wins includes victories over Shogun Rua, Lyoto Machida, and Rampage Jackson.
“I just always found it odd when everybody would get upset at him and say that they didn’t like that ‘he’s cocky.’ He’s 25 and he’s the UFC’s light heavyweight champion. He’s the youngest ever UFC champion. He destroyed Shogun [Rua] to win the title and I mean destroyed. He threw a flying knee and hit Shogun in the chin five seconds into their fight. I mean, Jon Jones is a motherf***er. He’s a motherf***er, but for whatever reason people have had an issue with that. I know I’m going to get a bunch of hate tweets. ‘F**k you and your f***ing bulls**t. What do you got? White guilt? Calling out racism?’
Jones defends his title to Cormier Jan. 3, 2015 at UFC 182 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
