UFC Heavyweight Champion Jones gave his first public comments about the shocking defeat of Gable Steveson at the NCAA championships.
The dominant victory of Jon Jones on Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November was partly due to the help of NCAA Wrestling Superstar Gable Steveson, an important part of his Vechtkamp. After Steveson's crushing defeat during the weekend at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships 2025, Jones comforted his training partner.
Jones remains one of the best pound-for-pound hunters in the UFC while he prepares for a likely confrontation with Tom Aspinall later this year. He is perhaps the largest UFC hunter of all time after an almost intact point in the Octagon during his career.
Before switching to MMA, Jones was a collegial struggling highlight and won a national championship at the Iowa Central Community College. Although known for his creativity on the feet, Jones is a diggish wrestler in the cage, as evidenced by victories over Ciryl Gane and Daniel Cormier.
Jon Jones speaks with Joe Rogan after beating Stipe Miocic on UFC 309. Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Jon Jones shows Gable Steveson praise despite the loss of shock wrestling
Steveson went his heavyweight championship in the showdown with Wyatt Hendrickson from Oklahoma State as an important favorite. The Olympic gold medal winner defeated Hendrickson at the NCAA championships 2021, but four years later Hendrickson made revenge.
After he had hit Steveson early on, Hendrickson assured an unlikely Takedown late with 20 seconds. It was the first Takedown Steveson who allowed the entire season.
The loss of Steveson is devised by many as the greatest upset in the history of the college. Although Jones the jaws of the defeat has not felt as important as the loss of Steveson, he experienced his honest part of low points during his career.
In a recent post Instagram story, Jones responded to the stunning defeat of Steveson at the NCAA championships.
“Proud of my brother. A loss on the mat does not define anything – his work ethics, heart and character speak for himself,” Jones said about Steveson.
“One of the hardest, most impressive young men I met in a long time. We climb lord and higher.”
Steveson can possibly switch to MMA after closing his wrestling career. The heavyweight striking is hyped as a potentially super perspective in MMA, especially after collaborating with Jones for the Vechtkampen of the heavyweight champion.
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall almost 'done' according to Dana White
In the meantime, Jones is vs. Aspinall about to flower, as updated by UFC CEO Dana White in the last few days. Aspinall trolled Jones on UFC London with a rubber duck, referring to the attitude of many fans that Jones 'dives' a fight with Aspinall in favor of other options for opponents.
Jones vs. Aspinall, when it is completed, is expected to be one of the greatest fights in the UFC history. Many predict that Aspinall will be the most difficult test of Jones's career, despite the legend that is confronted with a whole series of Hall of Famers in his earlier fights.
In recent days, Jones also became co-owner of the Dirty Boxing Championship of Mike Perry in his latest Combat Sports Venture. As soon as he decides to hang the gloves, Jones is ready for constant financial success from the cage.
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