Outside Source
Nurmagomedov’s longtime coach, Mendez, recently picked him as the MMA GOAT. Mendez also explained that he would have certainly picked Jones as the GOAT if not for the multiple PED violations. Mendez notes that several Olympic medallists have had their medals taken away after they were found cheating. According to Mendez, Jones can’t be considered the GOAT if the same logic applies to MMA.
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Transgressions Should Be Punished
“The GOAT for me is Khabib, and I would put Jon Jones in that category, but I can’t,” Mendez said on the Ahmed Mahmood show. “If you’re caught doing something you shouldn’t have been doing, how can you be considered at the top of the league? This is a true sport, and in a true sport you cannot put that person ahead. How many people have won Olympic gold medals and then they find out they cheated one way or another and got the medals taken away from them? If it’s true for every other sport, it should be true for MMA too.”
Nurmagomedov (29-0) defended the lightweight title thrice before retiring as the undefeated champion in 2020. Meanwhile, Jones (28-1) defended his light heavyweight title 12 times, the most in UFC history, before moving up to heavyweight. “Bones” won the heavyweight title and defended it once before retiring. The only loss in Jones’ record was by disqualification due to a 12-to-6 elbow, a move that has since been legalized. However, Jones’ career is marred by multiple drug testing violations and skirmishes with the law due to his unruly personal life. While Jones was rallying for a return at the White House, he recently changed tune after news of his arthritis was leaked.
Javier Mendez says Jon Jones can’t be the GOAT because of PED violations
“The GOAT for me is Khabib, and I would put Jon Jones in that category, but I can’t. If you’re caught doing something you shouldn’t have been doing, how can you be considered at the top of the league? This… pic.twitter.com/dymsQfWABX
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 8, 2026
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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