Joe Rogan ranks ‘special’ Jon Jones way ahead of Conor McGregor, who ‘self-destructed’ after boxing stint

Joe Rogan explains what he thinks makes Jon Jones superior to PPV draw king Conor McGregor, following his recent UFC 309 PPV title win.


Joe Rogan ranks ‘special’ Jon Jones way ahead of Conor McGregor, who ‘self-destructed’ after boxing stint

Joe Rogan puts Jon Jones in different category to Conor McGregor after UFC 309 (Source: IMAGO/X)

Jon Jones stands out. He is the G.O.A.T. and just something else. This is even more true after his UFC 309 PPV domination. Conor McGregor… not so much. That’s according to veteran UFC micsman and podcaster Joe Rogan. The color commentator was there for the whole of their careers. He watched them unfold from behind the desk.

This is not to say Jon Jones did not have his trial through fire with law run-ins and DUIs. But “Bones” comes out a G.O.A.T. whenever he puts some skin into the game. Jones recently swiped out the competition via a Round 3 TKO of Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner. Both fighters are championship winners in two different weight classes. But ‘Bones’ stands head and shoulders above ‘Notorious’, according to Joe Rogan.

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Jon’s in a different category…Conor self-destructed in a lot of ways because of money. He took that fight with Floyd Mayweather, made a ton of money off that, and then took a long time before he came back to MMA, and he’s just not been the same guy since…think that’s just – it’s money, it’s a lot of partying, but it’s the same kind of thing.

Joe Rogan on the ‘JRE’ Show #2232 – w/ Josh Brolin – PowerfulJRE (@joerogan)

Rogan bills that the ‘Mac Money’ derailed the Irishman more than it should have. He fought the first-ever crossover boxing fight in ‘The Money Fight: Mayweather Jr. vs. McGregor, 2017‘. Floyd Mayweather alone had an ROI of $275 million, while McGregor’s electric presence caused 4.3 million PPV buys and a $55 million gate! However, those days are far behind.

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A former two-time champion of the UFC, Conor McGregor is coming off back-to-back stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier. He hasn’t fought since his 2021 TKO leg break and is awaiting word on a return. Present civil cases and usual vices even highlight more of what Rogan said. He further delved into the comparison.

Joe Rogan: Legend ‘Bones’ will be missed when gone

Before his blockbuster summer 2017 boxing match, which made ‘Notorious’ one of the richest fighters in all combat sports, McGregor, was 9-1 in UFC with seven KOs and two titles. Since then, Conor McGregor is 1-3 with stoppage bumps and a very unlucky foot situation.

Joe Rogan talks some more on Jon Jones
Joe Rogan talks some more on Jon Jones (Source: es.agfight.com)

The 37-year-old Jones has not been without his fair share of problems over the years. His return to heavyweight to make a maiden defense — moreover, has opened up a can of worms. But apart from a disqualification against Matt Hamill earlier in his career, “Bones” has never tasted defeat. Joe Rogan thus went on to rave about Jon Jones some more:

Jon… Jon is a special dude, …When he’s gone, we’re all going to miss him. He’s a different kind of guy. I mean, he’s been at the top for 14 fu*king years. He was the youngest guy to ever win a UFC title, 23. … But when Jon Jones won that title at 23, it’s just been destruction of everyone ever since.

Joe Rogan further said on the ‘JRE’ Show #2232

McGregor has other solemn MMA promoter duties outside of UFC. Whereas Jones is looking for GOAT things to prove he is good; that good. Not good enough for the top spot at pound-for-pound weekly listings though. But that’s a bridge Rogan does not need to ponder right now after UFC 309.

Related: Joe Rogan asks Dana White to drop $750 million business for UFC kickboxing league