Josh Thomson thinks that the talent available in Jon Jonesâ weight classes holds him back from being named the greatest fighter in MMA history.
âBonesâ already held the distinction of being considered the GOAT by many fans and peers, but the 35-year-old only added to his case by claiming a second UFC title in the main event of UFC 285. The win was made all the more impressive by the fact that Jones was making his heavyweight debut after a three-year layoff, and he needed just over two minutes to hand Ciryl Gane the second loss of his career.
Jones joined an exclusive list of fighters that have won UFC titles in two different weight classes, but former UFC and Bellator lightweight Josh Thomson recently told âBigâ John McCarthy that thereâs an important factor holding back his case for GOAT status.
âI guess I would like to do like a really big, deep dive on considering him the GOAT,â Thomson began. âBut I know that, I know thereâs gonna be a lot of people that are gonna say like âOh, youâre justâŚâ It doesnât matter what theyâre gonna say, I donât even care what they say anymore. It just, I â even if it wasnât Jon, letâs say it was Dan Henderson, or say it was Randy Couture, say it was somebody like that. I would still feel the same way.â
Thomson: Jonesâ Record Lacks âTop Quality Fightersâ
Having competed in arguably the sportâs deepest division during his own career, Thomson argues that the level of talent in a weight class needs to be considered when establishing which fighter stands out as the sportâs GOAT.
Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history at UFC 128. (Zuffa LLC)
âYes, I can say heâs the GOAT. But I look at guys in the 170 pound, 155, 145, 135. And [Demetrious Johnson]âs one of like, there wasnât the talent level. He falls kind of under the same as Anderson Silva, 205, you know, and even moving up to heavyweight. Thereâs a lack of options and top quality fighters. Now, everyone was saying âWell Jon Jones fought Shogun Rua, he foughtâŚâ Yeah, he fought good guys, but they were also kind of towards â I donât wanna say they were towards the end, but they definitely werenât in their prime. âShogunâ had a lot miles on him before he even got to the UFC.â
Jones captured the UFCâs light heavyweight title by defeating Rua in 2011 and went on to make his first four title defenses against fighters that were previously UFC champions. Issues outside of the cage have seriously threatened to derail his career on several occasions, but after his last few light heavyweight title defenses were relatively lackluster it appears âBonesâ may have found some new life at heavyweight.
The dust still needs to settle in the immediate aftermath of a UFC 285 card that saw two new UFC champions crowned, but Jones seems open to taking on another former champion for the first defense of his new title.
I weak minded & canât think for myself,so I just go with who Dana & Joe Rogan tell me.
Josh probably thinks Khabib is the GOAT.
Iâm sure in those few minutes NDA was able to read the articles completely, listen to Joshâs podcast, and form a well grounded stance on this lol
.00002 Seconds LOL
I hate Jon Jones.
But, Josh Thompson is a fag.
He has cyborg over Nunes for goat women his opinion is compromised, I remember the thread on here celebrating him as the first openly gay fighter
LOL I Merember that
Frank Shamrock said it when Josh fought at the Playboy mansion.
Josh and BJM are always bitching and whining about something like two old ladies in a hair salon.
CM Punk: Jones not the GOAT. I am
Sorry Josh, when you come in after 3 years and make it look that easy, it elevates your status.
Josh is cranky
Mid-2000âs LHW is the greatest division in the history of fhe sport.
Lol if he says that about Jones, imagine what he says about Khabib