Baaaaaa

My experience meeting the GOAT

Yes, that is me. That is me, standing next to the now, all but official, GOAT (greatest of all time) mixed martial artist, Jon Jones. For anyone not familiar with ‘Jonny Bones’, he is the former UFC light-heavyweight champion, and as of last weekend is now the UFC heavyweight champion of the world. Before Jones’ victory over Cyril Gane last weekend, many already regarded Jon Jones as the greatest to ever do it, by virtue of his long-standing undefeated streak, and many title defences (over a murderers’ row of challengers) that he had racked up over the past decade and more. However, after Jones entered the octagon on March 4th and choked Cyril Gane into submission, in the space of two minutes, there was really no longer any debate to be had: Jon Jones is the greatest mixed martial artist the world has ever witnessed.

I have been a fan of Jon Jones for as long as I have been a fan of the sport. He was the first fighter I watched when I discovered MMA as a 13-year-old boy, and I was mesmerised by what he was able to do inside the octagon. My fandom pretty much instantly, grew into idolatry. I looked up to someone who was achieving greatness- something I already felt at that age I was destined for in some form of another- in the name of Christ and God, which was extremely admirable and identifiable to someone like myself; a fellow Christian at the time.

In the years that followed, whilst Jonny Bones continued to prove himself perfect inside the cage, Jonathon Dwight proved himself to be very much the opposite outside of it. I in no way condone Jon’s actions and behaviours outside of the octagon. I was very much devastated each time a piece of news broke, reporting another incident concerning my childhood hero. However through it all, he did remain just that- albeit a tainted one.

So, when the opportunity arose to travel just down the road to meet him, I did not hesitate for a second to ensure I would not miss it. My friend and I were one of the first people in a queue of literally thousands lining up to meet the GOAT. When I walked up to him in my once-upon-a-time black, faded to grey, Jonny Bones Nike shirt (that was his walkout shirt for his fight many years ago with Glover Texiera), the first words out of Jon’s mouth were: “Oh! I already know from your t-shirt that you’re for real!”

He said to me “let me sign this” as he pulled out a marker. When I then proceeded to produce from my backpack, the mountain of other walkout shirts and event posters I had brought for him to sign, his manger Abe stepped in and said to me, “only one item signed per person”. Jon waved him off and said: “Na, don’t worry. I know this guy isn’t going to sell them.” There was almost 10 items. He signed every one. I asked him if he could write on one of the posters (UFC 214: Jones vs. DC 2), one piece of advice he would give me for life.

He put his arm around me and listened in, as I told him how I had always looked up to him, admired him. I told him I wasn’t a fighter, but he had inspired me to strive for and achieve greatness in everything I did. I was going into law and I applied his mentality and approach to all my exams, applications and work that I did. He told me that is awesome. We had a silly face off and took some photos. As I was leaving he looked me in the eye, and said: “Hey. Keep working hard, stay in the gym, and stay close to the fire.”

I will admit. In all the interviews around his fight for the heavyweight strap, Jon seemed as genuine as usual- which is to say he did not seem so at all. That is how it always is with Jon. Despite his best efforts, everything comes across as so calculated and insincere. He tries so hard to be who he thinks people want him to be, and it just never comes off as real. He is a very imperfect person trying to convince people he is perfect and completely reformed. Even I have to admit that. However that day I met him, he genuinely seemed genuine. Maybe I was just caught up in the moment; meeting my idol, my hero, in the flesh. Maybe I am clouded by my idolatry, fandom and admiration. I do not think I am though. That interaction was a real one. He made me feel as though he appreciated and was touched by my admiration, as much I was by what he had achieved and how he had inspired me. I really do think I met the real Jon Jones.

When I got home I unrolled the poster I had asked him to write a piece of advice on for me. He had simply wrote ‘Philippians 3:14’- the bible versed he has tattooed on his chest. I am no longer a Christian, but I am as much of a God-loving man as I have ever been. I can do all things through God who strengthens me.