Five psychological warfare tactics used by UFC legend Jon Jones
UFC megastar Jon Jones is one of the most polarizing personalities in the combat sports and broader pop culture realms. Since 2008, 'Bones' has consistently showcased MMA brilliance, gradually adding several legends to his list of vanquished foes.
In March 2011, at just 23 years of age, he captured the UFC light heavyweight title by knocking out Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua. Jones still holds the record of being the youngest UFC champion of all time. The virtually undefeated fighter never lost his title in the competition. Nevertheless, he was stripped of it on multiple occasions due to run-ins with the law and positive PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) tests.
Additionally, in March 2023, he ended his three-year MMA hiatus, made his heavyweight divisional debut, and dominantly submitted Ciryl Gane to win the vacant UFC heavyweight title. Presently, Jones is expected to defend his heavyweight belt against Stipe Miocic, likely in November 2024.
The New York-born Albuquerque resident is the owner of various records, including the highest number of wins in UFC title fights (15). We often discuss the stellar skills and athleticism of Jones, but to have such unparalleled consistency at the highest levels of MMA, mere physical brilliance isn't enough.
Today, we look at Jones from a mental perspective and shed light on some of his psychological warfare tactics.
#5 The deflection defense
Jon Jones defeated Alexander Gustafsson via third-round KO in their UFC light heavyweight title rematch at UFC 232 (December 2018). During the pre-fight press conference, a Swedish reporter, Izabelle Kostic, questioned why 'Bones' wasn't suspended. Jones had failed a drug test leading up to the event, but only a picogram of the PED was found in his system.
If Jones had explained himself with a sense of potentially self-destructive indignation, it'd have lent Gustafsson confidence and more verbal ammunition. Instead, Jones mockingly asked Kostic's mic to be taken away and jibed at her journalistic skills.
Jones' supporters subsequently argued that he wasn't obligated to justify himself. His detractors emphasized that given his history of failed PED tests, the least he could've done was explain himself.
Jones later apologized to Kostic and cited his combative pre-fight mindset as a reason for their verbal back-and-forth. Kostic, too, clarified she had nothing personal against him and was just doing her job. Meanwhile, all the focus was deflected from his failed drug test, past PED suspensions, and alleged PED use.
'Bones' maintains that he's never used PEDs. Regardless of whether you believe him or not, you can't deny his mastery of the art of deflection. Consciously, and perhaps even subconsciously, he masterfully staves off any backlash that comes his way due to his purported mistakes or weaknesses.
Watch the back-and-forth below (25:40):
#4 Territoriality
Another psychological warfare tactic utilized by Jon Jones during that press conference was ruthless territoriality, marking what he deems his personal space and dispatching any rival who enters it.
During their face-off, Jones confidently stared down Gustafsson. They then turned to the front and faced the audience. He noticed Gustafsson spreading his elbows and seemingly took that as a sign of his rival asserting spatial dominance.
Refusing to be outdone, Jones stepped in front of Gustafsson, leaving him just partly visible to the cameras. 'The Mauler' responded by copying Jones, moving in front to block him. However, Jones upped the ante and shoved his Swedish rival, leading to UFC CEO (then-UFC president) Dana White and other personnel intervening to de-escalate the situation.
Watch the shove below:
#3 Subtle hostility
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is scheduled to defend his title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 (July 27, 2024). The Aspinall-Blaydes winner is expected to fight the winner of Jon Jones-Stipe Miocic in a heavyweight title unifier. Ergo, Jones could potentially fight Aspinall soon. It's a matchup many are calling for right away.
Earlier this year, Aspinall encountered Jones at an event and engaged in a cordial conversation. The UK fighter noticeably placed his hand on Jones' shoulder, which the latter immediately brushed aside. They remained respectful, but the biggest talking point to emerge was 'Bones' pushing Aspinall's hand away.
Aspinall had famously placed both hands on Sergei Pavlovich's shoulders in their interim heavyweight title fight's octagon face-off last November. He defeated Pavlovich via first-round KO moments later. Some speculated that the pre-fight hand placement helped Aspinall gauge his opponent's reach.
Jones was likely aware of that. Additionally, he's never been one to let any adversary get too close. What truly sets 'Bones' apart is that he doesn't need to resort to a full-blown brawl every time, but he always ensures that his foes don't cross certain lines with him.
While meeting his rivals, Jones' smiles are always armed with subtle hostility, which is an important armor. It's a reminder that he's uninterested in befriending his foes; he's here for combat glory.
Check out the Jones-Aspinall interaction below:
#2 Jon Jones creates an aura of fearlessness
Jon Jones fought archrival Daniel Cormier twice. He beat 'DC' via unanimous decision in their first fight in Jan. 2015 and then knocked him out in their rematch in July 2017. Nevertheless, the rematch's verdict was overturned to an NC (No Contest), as Jones tested positive for PEDs. The build-up to both fights featured relentless trash talk from both sides.
They memorably got into a brawl at a promotional event before their first encounter. Before their rematch, 'DC' even threw a bottle at Jones at a UFC press conference and warned him not to talk about his children.
In an ESPN interview, wherein they thought they were off-air, Cormier labeled Jones "fake" and "a chameleon." He indicated that Jones' public and private personas vastly differ.
'DC' also threatened to spit in his face. Jones responded by threatening to take his life. This is one of the best-known examples of Jones' ability to perpetuate an aura of intimidation and highlight his fearlessness against his opponents. 'Bones' goes to great lengths to instill fear and has successfully rattled some of the most elite fighters ever.
Watch their conversation below:
#1 Unafraid of and unfazed by changing relationship dynamics
Daniel Cormier is a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, who retired from MMA in August 2020. The Hall of Famer also serves as a UFC commentator and notably commentated for Jones' heavyweight title match at UFC 285 (March 2023).
In June 2024, their pre-UFC 285 phone call came to the fore. 'DC' tried to ask him a question, but Jones interrupted by politely asking how he was. Both fighters were respectful, and Cormier later jestingly flipped off the camera crew who were recording the conversation.
It's one of Jones' more subtle mental warfare maneuvers and among his most valuable psychological abilities. He is capable of seamlessly transitioning from friendliness to enmity and vice versa. The 36-year-old showcased this trait on many occasions in his rivalry against Cormier.
It's a criminally underrated psychological warfare technique, which can help gaslight your opponent and make them doubt themselves. Such drastic behavioral fluctuations could harm both fighters' minds, unless, of course, they're psychologically ironclad like Jon Jones.
Watch their conversation below: