Jon Jones sends heartfelt tribute to his ‘personal GOAT’ after tying all-time UFC record… ‘I grew up watching his greatness’

Following his third-round knockout at UFC 309 last weekend, much of the conversation surrounding Jon Jones was about his MMA GOAT status; 'Bones' himself, however, considers another to be the greatest of all time.

Now officially linked to his “personal GOAT” in terms of title fights, Jon Jones has penned a respectful and heartfelt tribute to the man he grew up being… 'The Spider'.

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Jon Jones sends a heartfelt message to his 'personal GOAT' Anderson Silva

A week after retaining his UFC heavyweight title with a third-round knockout of Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones reflects on the countless records he has set over the course of his illustrious career.

While much of the discussion following UFC 309 focused on his status as the consensus greatest of all time, 'Bones' himself actually believes there is another fighter who overshadows him: Anderson 'The Spider' Silva.

Appearing on Instagram late last night after attending a private boxing event in Miami, Jones paid a moving tribute to the legendary former middleweight champion.

“From idolizing Anderson Silva as a young man to now being tied with him for most title fight finishes, it's surreal. I grew up watching his greatness and dreaming that one day I would accomplish even a fraction of what he did.

“To now share this honor with someone I admire so deeply is beyond words,” Jones continued, before closing with a poignant closing comment: “Respect and gratitude always to my personal GOAT.”

Jones also shared a photo of him, Georges St-Pierre and Demetrious Johnson as he issued a stern challenge to the fighters who want to follow in his footsteps.

“17 UFC world titles. That's right: seventeen! I'm sitting here on the plane to Miami wondering… who's going to take me in? Chasing this record may be the toughest fight of all, but I believe in you, champions of the future. Just… keep your pace. It's a marathon, not a sprint… #GoodLuckWithThat #JustAChillGuy.”

'Bones' had a great time at Mike Perry's private boxing event last night

Jones had shared both posts just before attending a private boxing event in Miami hosted by Mike Perry's new promotion, Dirty Boxing Championship.

The event, which was not broadcast or streamed anywhere in the world, featured former UFC superstar Yoel Romero against PowerSlap's Duane Crespo – and there are no prizes to be won for guessing how that fight ended.

'The Soldier of God' was keen to put on a show for the Fight Club-esque crowd, ending the match via a brutal knockout in the very first round as Jones watched.

Jones is expected to face interim champion Tom Aspinall or vacate his UFC title in 2025, with commentator Jon Anik recently addressing the kind of money it would take to get 'Bones' to sign that contract.

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