Despite securing the position of the youngest-ever and the current oldest active UFC champion, Jon Jones has faced quite a few issues with his life outside the Octagon. As they say, “The greatest battle is often fought not on a battlefield, but within ourselves, against our own demons.” The same was true for the heavyweight champion, as well. Be it doping violations, charges of assault and battery, and even driving under the influence. But ‘Bones’ found a way out of the pit and overturned his life. And Mark Coleman saw it all. After all, only a true champion can recognize another. 

‘The Hammer’ had an interaction with EssentiallySports’ own Andrew Whitelaw in an exclusive interview where Whitelaw asked Coleman about Jones’ demons. He asked, “Is he misunderstood or is he just a dude who’s got his demons in the same way a lot of people do?” But Coleman, who had trained with a young Jones, seemed to have known him pretty well. He replied, “It’s just Jon Jones, man. Everybody’s different, misunderstood. Do you understand anybody?”

But that doesn’t mean the current heavyweight champion hasn’t found a way to battle his demons. Coleman continued, “Yeah. He’s doing good for himself. He works hard. He works hard to be a good, honest person, and do the right things. It’s tough. I mean, he’s staying sober. He’s got God, so he’s got a good start right there. I got the same things right there. I got God, and I’m sober. With that, I can do anything.” And without faith and sobriety, Coleman admitted that both of them would fail. 

There was a time when ‘The Hammer’ dominated the Octagon. Retiring from the world of mixed martial arts at the age of 48, with a record of 16-10 under his belt, he left a prominent mark in the Octagon. He was indeed the one who showed the world how one can dominate with wrestling. Now, it was Jones’ time to dominate. But what does Coleman think of that? Let’s find out!

Mark Coleman weighs in on Jon Jones’ GOAT status

Soon after Whitelaw met Coleman, he reflected that ‘The Godfather of Ground & Pound’ was actually watching Jones on his mobile phone. It was the perfect moment for the interviewer to ask, “How do you feel when you see the next generation? I mean he is the modern GOAT, right?” Needless to say, Coleman couldn’t disagree with the fact that Jones was indeed the GOAT of the current era. 

‘The Hammer’ said, “Man he is truly the GOAT, [and it] hits home with me because we both fought in UFC 100. But I fought him when he was 20 years old. We worked out on a Wednesday before the show. I whooped his a** by the way. We just went straight wrestling, and I am the Olympian man, so took him to school. I was 44 he was 20, but [it’s] no big deal. He ended up throwing a spinning elbow at me, and he came up a little bit short. I called practice right there because he was getting a little angry with me.”

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Comparing Jones to his former opponent, Stipe Miocic, Coleman seemed to have a soft spot for the firefighter. After all, the two of them hailed from the same state. However, ‘Bones’ had a special place in his heart. Coleman went on, “But I love Jon, we talked back and forth, we went through a lot of stuff together but [I’m] proud of this man; truly is the best.”

Have you watched the EssentiallySports’ Exclusive interview with Coleman? Well, he did talk about a lot of stuff, other than the MMA GOAT. So what are you waiting for? Drop down to the comments section below and give us your suggestions on who we should bring in next.