Jones stated that he has revaluated the individuals round him and that his way of life has turn into calmer and less complicated. He developed new hobbies, akin to canine coaching and flying drones, and stated in an interview final week that he felt he was in a “higher place.”
“A lot of my younger life was on a quick observe,” he stated. “Over the past two years, I’ve actually acquired to guage my associates and the circle and my mentors, and I really feel like I’m a product of my friendships as of late. I’ve by no means been extra happy with my crew.”
Jones vacated the sunshine heavyweight belt in 2020 to transition to heavyweight. He stated that he would minimize as many as 25 kilos throughout struggle week and that he needed to problem himself in opposition to completely different opponents. He stated he started weight coaching 4 occasions per week and tailored his food regimen to incorporate extra purple meat, fish, hen, rice and protein shakes.
Throughout that point, he, like Ngannou, additionally bickered with the U.F.C. over elevated pay. In March 2021, Jones wrote on Twitter, “Please simply minimize me already,” requesting that he be launched by the group. However the tone of the negotiations improved over time, Jones stated, and the U.F.C. provided him a deal that made him really feel “instantly revered.” Richard Schaefer, Jones’s consultant, stated in a January broadcast interview that Jones’s restructured contract more than likely made him the second-highest-paid U.F.C. fighter behind McGregor.
“Individuals argue — that’s simply part of life,” Jones stated. “I don’t take this private, and Dana doesn’t both.”
The physique transformation sparked a seamless efficiency worthy of his greater wage. He took Gane down early within the first spherical Saturday and pinned him in opposition to the fence. He then transitioned to a guillotine front-side choke and squeezed till Gane tapped in submission.
Earlier than White stated he would now not negotiate with Ngannou, Jones, within the interview Tuesday, stated he can be open to the struggle. He stated that whereas the 2 shared completely different views, he revered his strategy.