There are tons of similarities between Jon Jones and Mike Tyson; both are considered pinnacles in their respective sports, and both have had a history of trouble outside their respective sports. Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion at age 20 and made quick work of some of the best boxers in history. Jones became the youngest UFC champion by winning the light heavyweight title at 23, again disposing of some of the best names in the sport of MMA. It’s no wonder that Joe Rogan can’t help but draw comparisons between the two and talk about them in the same vein.
“It’s conquerors. That’s what it is. They’re both conquerors,” Joe Rogan told Hollywood star Josh Brolin, who himself confessed his admiration for Jones on episode #2232 of JRE. “I had this thing that I put up on my Instagram the other day that somebody made. It was me talking about, trying to explain why Jon exists, that there’s people that are just different. They’re wired different. They are uncommon amongst uncommon men.”
Despite their accolades, both fighters found themselves on the wrong side of the law on numerous occasions. According to Rogan, their unhinged behavior outside the fighting realm is what contributes to their dominance within – there’s no separating one from the other. Mike Tyson has been out of his prime for almost two decades now, and Jon Jones is nearing the twilight of his career. Undoubtedly, Jones has left a legacy that, at this point in the MMA landscape, no one can even touch.
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Moreover, Joe Rogan was left with no words when Jon Jones dominated the former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in only his second heavyweight outing at UFC 309. The UFC commentator and podcaster said he’d miss Jon Jones when the latter retires, and that the 28-1 legend’s departure from the sport will leave a void in the mixed martial arts world.
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Joe Rogan believes Jon Jones is “special”
For a lot of fight fans, two names ring a bell when thinking about the UFC – Conor McGregor, the biggest superstar, and Jon Jones, the greatest of all time. Joe Rogan would also agree and has claimed that there is something different about Jones when compared to every other fighter he’s seen. His journey has been unique and incomparable, especially after how he dominated Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. When the time comes when Jones decides to hang up his fighting gloves for good, there may never be another fighter who can replicate the things that the 28-1 legend has done for 16 years under the UFC banner.
“Jon is a special dude. When he’s gone, we’re all going to miss him. He’s a different kind of guy. I mean, he’s been at the top for 14 f***ing years. He was the youngest guy to ever win a UFC title, 23. But when Jon Jones won that title at 23, it’s just been destruction of everyone ever since,” Joe Rogan added. “Never ducked anybody, fought all the best, destroyed everybody, and dominated his division, [then] went up to heavyweight, dominates at heavyweight.”
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At 37 years old, Jon Jones hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, even though he claims that retirement is on the horizon. The supposed greatest of all time has only legacy fights in mind right now, but what fans want is to see him give that chance to new up-and-comers like Tom Aspinall. Will that fight happen? It’s too early to say right now. Regardless, for all his achievements – Jon Jones has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest to ever do it in MMA.
What do you think about Jon Jones’ legacy inside the Octagon when compared to Mike Tyson’s career in boxing? Let us know in the comments down below.
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Is Jon Jones the Mike Tyson of MMA, or does he surpass Tyson's legendary status?
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