Jon Jones is back in Las Vegas for UFC 329 fight week, and it’s giving him that old hunger to compete.
Jones has become Olympic freestyle gold medalist Gable Steveson’s mentor as the amateur wrestler makes his transition into the world of mixed martial arts. Less than a year into his pro career, Steveson is 3-0 with all three fights ending via first round knockout. Not a bad start for the two time Division I wrestling champion!
But with big expectations come (somewhat) bigger challenges. The UFC has
now signed the heavyweight Steveson, who will make his debut on the prelim portion of UFC 329 against 5-2 fighter Elisha Ellison. “The Snack Panther” is just 0-1 in the UFC, having been defeated by Brando Pericic via first round KO.
Steveson is looking ready for the upcoming fight, and Jones was captured on the UFC Embedded video series looking very proud … and also a little wistful.
“It feels so good to be back here,” Jones said. “It makes me miss the game tremendously, but I had my time.”
Longtime GOAT contender Jones has been going back and forth in his head and in the media regarding another fight. Most recently, he declared that all the big fights the fans want to see are still possible. But now he’s back to sounding content with his decision to retire.
“I feel like to be one of the best fighters you have to be very selfish,” Jones said. “Now it’s time for me to learn more about being selfless and so I’m here, Team Steveson giving him the best I’ve got, giving him my full support all the way to the top.”
We’ll see how long Jones sticks with this position. But even if he jumps back to wanting to fight, he’d need to convince the UFC to make him an offer … a big one based on his refusal to fight for $15 mil on the UFC White House card in June.
