HOUSTON – [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] hasn’t forgotten the “party favors” comment [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] made in October.
After defeating Chris Weidman at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston, Reyes (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) took to the microphone and poked fun at Jones’ history with, well, partying. The verbal jab was the first notable piece of trash talk either lobbed at the other prior to their UFC 247 booking.
At a UFC 247 athlete panel held Wednesday, Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC) said he isn’t a fan what of what he deemed immaturity from the challenger. Jones said Reyes’ catty comment in Boston was the reason Jones decided he wanted the fight, but also admitted Reyes’ abilities were what ultimately earned him the matchup.
“When he mentioned ‘party favors’ and that he wanted the belt,” Jones said, of the moment he knew he wanted to fight Reyes. “I just felt like it was just a very immature way to go about things. It’s like, you’re knocking out everybody so you obviously have the attention of myself and the UFC.
“There’s no need to bring up my past. It’s just a silly, immature way to get this whole thing started off. It didn’t help him get the fight. The reason why I chose to give him this opportunity was because he’s knocked out everyone and he’s the scariest other guy in the world that I haven’t fought yet.”
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Leading up to UFC 247 fight week, Jones and Reyes exchanged numerous barbs on Twitter and through interviews. Jones said his banter is more factual and rides on correcting Reyes’ false claims.
Oh, and Jones also said he isn’t a fan of Reyes’ breath.
“He started this fight being completely immature,” Jones said. “Now that I’ve gotten back at him, acknowledging that he has stinky breath. That’s factual. Ask his camp. It’s factual. Ask Dana White.
“Then, just calling him on his stuff (like) saying he’s the best Apple Valley athlete and how he considers himself the best athlete I’ve ever faced. That’s insulting to everyone I’ve ever faced. What does that even mean? How are we not all athletes. Just to make the UFC roster, you have to an extraordinary athlete.”
Additionally, Jones responded to a recent comment made by Reyes. Moments prior to Jones’ appearance on the panel, Reyes’ fielded questions, as well. When asked about Jones’ boxing, Reyes said “it’s no secret that Jon isn’t the best boxer in the UFC.”
“Have you seen his mitt work?” Jones said. “He has a tremendous left hand. I know he’s going to work hard on his right hand, especially because I’ve brought it up so much. My job is not to go out there and get in a boxing match. My job is to be the better mixed martial arts fighter. Like I said, I’m very aware that his best counters come in boxing combinations. I’m not going to give him what he wants. It’s going to be a mixed martial arts fight.”
UFC 247 takes place Saturday at Toyota Center in Houston. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
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