Terence Crawford has constructed his legacy on self-discipline, clear dwelling, and a relentless pursuit of perfection contained in the boxing ring. That is why his latest admission caught many followers off guard.
Requested which UFC fighters he most admires, the undefeated world champion didn’t hesitate, Jon Jones, the person whose brilliance contained in the Octagon has usually been overshadowed by chaos outdoors of it.
“I have been a fan of him,” Crawford mentioned on the FullSend podcast, explaining that he and Jones communicate. “Jon Jones is my boy, man!
“We’re cool, we inbox and speak right here and there. I like Khabib, Mirsad [Bektic], Aljo… there’s plenty of fighters. However Jones, he is completely different.”
It is a assertion that underscores the paradox of Jones‘ profession. For greater than a decade, the previous mild heavyweight and heavyweight champion has dazzled followers along with his expertise, cementing his place as one of many sport’s most dominant athletes.
But away from the cage, his file has been marked by failed drug exams, authorized troubles, and his personal admissions of reckless partying earlier than fights. Crawford, now 36, has lengthy credited his longevity to strict private requirements.
“I do not drink, I do not smoke, I do not actually social gathering. Your physique is a temple,” Crawford defined. Watching relations battle with habit solely strengthened his resolve.
“I by no means understood why folks wish to be so tousled that they do not even know what is going on on round them.”
That philosophy couldn’t be extra completely different from Jones‘ previous method. On the Joe Rogan Expertise, the UFC star admitted that earlier than main fights, he would intentionally social gathering onerous in order that if he misplaced, he may blame it on consuming.
He additionally examined constructive for banned substances previously, sparking debates about whether or not his dominance was pure expertise or chemically enhanced.
But Crawford‘s admiration means that Jones’ in-cage achievements are too vital to disregard. “He is simply particular,” Crawford added. “No matter else, you’ll be able to’t deny what he is performed in there.”
Jones and the White Home card debate
Jones‘ identify is as soon as once more making headlines as speak swirls across the UFC’s most formidable occasion but: a July 4, 2026 combat card staged on the White Home garden to rejoice America’s 250th birthday. The historic spectacle is predicted to attract greater than 20,000 followers and international consideration.
Whereas Conor McGregor has already began drug testing procedures in hopes of constructing the lineup, UFC president Dana White has publicly solid doubt on Jones’ probabilities.
Calling him a “billion-to-one lengthy shot,” White cited lingering belief points after Jones retired abruptly, pulled out of fights, and handled repeated controversies.
Chael Sonnen, by no means shy along with his opinions, agrees that Jones has not earned the suitable to headline such a prestigious card.
Talking on The Ariel Helwani Present, Sonnen argued: “Nobody goes to take these wonderful spots apart from the individuals who earned them by exhibiting their loyalty again to the trade. Jon doesn’t need to have a important occasion spot on the White Home card.”
Jones, nevertheless, insists he is able to return. He has re-entered the testing pool, resumed coaching, and described the potential for combating on the White Home as a “larger objective.”
Legacy on the road
The distinction between Crawford and Jones illustrates two very completely different paths to greatness. Crawford represents the basic components of sacrifice and self-discipline, whereas Jones embodies uncooked expertise and controversy in equal measure.
For Crawford, the admiration is just not about life-style however about legacy, and Jones‘ resume speaks for itself.
For UFC management, although, legacy is just not sufficient. With one of the high-profile occasions in firm historical past on the horizon, questions linger about whether or not Jones may be trusted with the highlight.
Followers stay divided: some echo Crawford‘s respect for Jones‘ unmatched expertise, whereas others agree with Sonnen that his previous missteps disqualify him from such an honor.
What is evident is that even in semi-retirement, Jones’ identify stays central to the dialog – a fighter whose brilliance and baggage can’t be separated.
And when considered one of boxing’s biggest champions calls him the very best, it solely sharpens the talk over how his profession ought to really be remembered.
