UFC legend Jon Jones has broken his silence on what he thinks is the biggest praise that he could have ever received about his legendary career inside the octagon.
The 38-year-old American star is often viewed as one of the first names in contention for the so-called ‘GOAT’ debate around athletes in the world of MMA.
Jon Jones has only suffered one defeat in his professional MMA career after a controversial disqualification loss to Matt Hamill in The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale.
The UFC legend, who held titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight, was held in high esteem by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
- READ MORE: Jon Jones gets behind Conor McGregor ahead of massive UFC 329 comeback fight
Jon Jones reveals his feelings towards what iconic former MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov said about him
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov waxed lyrical about Jon Jones and the legendary Russian former MMA coach’s words about the American spoke volumes.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father passed away in 2020 due to severe health complications that were ultimately exacerbated by COVID-19 at the time.
Abdulmanap was widely hailed for his influence over the career of UFC icon Khabib, who retired from combat sports in 2021 with an unblemished MMA record.
Jones was asked if he had seen what the father of Islam Makhachev and Khabib said about him, including famously being called “God’s gift.”
“Yeah, I’ll never forget that,” he told Red Corner MMA.
“I’ll never forget that. And I’m honored to have such a compliment come from such a respected man, you know, a proven man.
“And I actually believe what he says.”
- READ MORE: Jon Jones apologizes to Alex Pereira over ‘GOAT’ troll following UFC Freedom 250 defeat
Why UFC legend Jon Jones was so touched by the words of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
Jones vacated the UFC heavyweight championship and retired from MMA in 2025 after his last fight in the octagon against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in 2024.
The ex-UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight title holder pointed to his religious background and that of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov after the praise he received.
“You know, it means more [what Abdulmanap said] because, you know, I’m a Christian,” Jones continued.
“He’s a Muslim fighter, Muslim. And for him to feel that way about me, it says a lot. It says a lot.”
Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight title and made the long-awaited climb to heavyweight before he captured his last championship crown against Ciryl Gane.