Fighters react to Jon Jones' performance at UFC 197
UFC pound-for-pound great Jon Jones returned to the Octagon on Saturday night after more than 16 months away to claim the interim light heavyweight title against formidable challenger Ovince Saint Preux.
Jones, who obviously built up a bit of ring rust in his absence, started slow but picked up the action in in the championship rounds en route to a unanimous decision at UFC 197. And despite his not-so-G.O.A.T. performance, his fellow fighters were happy to see the longtime champion return to the Octagon.
Check out some of the best reactions to his first fight since January 2015.
That was the real @JonnyBones On the mic tonight- Welcome back Amigo @ufc #UFC197 Great job @003_OSP in the 5 Rnd Battle
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) April 24, 2016
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) April 24, 2016
Big win @JonnyBones first fight in a year and you knock off a very dangerous OSP!!
— sheldon westcott (@sheldonwestcott) April 24, 2016
Can't hate, have to appreciate what he has accomplished. Congrats to my old pal and former roomate @JonnyBones #UFC197
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) April 24, 2016
Welcome back @JonnyBones!! #UFC197
— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) April 24, 2016
Great 2 see @JonnyBones back in the octagon! Congrats on the win. Can't wait 4 belt unification!!! #UFC197
— Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) April 24, 2016
Much respect to @JonnyBones and @003_OSP
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) April 24, 2016
If @003_OSP get with the right trainers he's gonna be insane
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) April 24, 2016
@JonnyBones don't be hard on yourself you wiped that ring rust off with ease your so ready to conquer the entire sport #loveyoubro
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) April 24, 2016
RESPECT to OSP #UFC197
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 24, 2016
I would hate to be on bottom with Jon Jones throwing hell-bows at my grill. ? that's not fun at all #UFC197
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) April 24, 2016
People are complaining about Jon's performance. I don't think he's rusty or anything like that. I think Jon is 'carrying' OSP. #UFC197
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) April 24, 2016
Jon Jones def. Ovince Saint Preux by unanimous decision to win UFC interim light heavyweight title. No finish but the GOAT is back. #UFC197
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) April 24, 2016
Looking forward to that rematch! @JonnyBones @dc_mma hopefully it's the main event at #UFC200 @UFC_AUSNZ @ufc @danawhite #unification ????
— Richy Walsh MMA (@RichyMMA) April 24, 2016
#JonJones ➡ ️P4P best of all time by far. It's amazing he performs at such a high level "every single fight," his good or bad days. #UFC197
— Johnny Hollywood (@HollywoodCase) April 24, 2016
. @JonBonesJones flipping off @dc_mma after the fight, and they laugh about it. ? good times
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) April 24, 2016