Jon Jones, the UFC Heavyweight Champion, credits his mental drive not only to fellow mixed martial artists but also to legendary athletes from other sports. Despite achieving nearly everything in MMA with a 27-1 record and holding two division titles at age 37, Jones looks beyond the cage for new sources of inspiration to maintain his competitive edge. During an interview with celebrity barber VicBlends on the podcast DeepCut, Jones explained how he draws motivation from figures like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan to fuel his mindset beyond traditional MMA training.
Jones acknowledged the challenge of sustaining motivation in a space where he is often seen as the pinnacle of success.
“I try to grab motivation from people outside of my field. Because in this MMA space, I’ve become a member of a lot of people’s Mount Everest, right?”
he said. He aims to learn by examining qualities that others excel in, not just physical fighting skills but also aspects such as humanitarian efforts and fan engagement.
Jones mentioned how fighters like Conor McGregor inspire him in specific ways, such as McGregor’s exceptional mic skills. This broader view helps Jones refine different facets of his persona and performance. Reflecting on some of the greatest sports icons, Jones said,
“I look at Tom Brady, and the LeBron Jameses, and the Michael Phelpses, the Michael Jordans.”
Through this approach, Jones continues to push his boundaries in and out of the UFC.
Unexpected influences outside sports shaping Jon Jones’s mental approach
Considered one of the all-time greats in the UFC, Jon Jones’ evolving style shows his commitment to innovation and adaptation. He avoids complacency by continuously expanding his tactics, which has made his fighting versatile and hard to counter. Yet, beyond his admiration for sports legends, Jones identified two surprising sources of mental strength that impact his fighting mindset.
Jones shared,
“The two things that I really enjoy outside of fighting that I feel helps my mentality. I love studying military groups and I love studying the male lion,”
adding a smile. He elaborated on how the traits of male lions inspire him: their territorial nature, combined calmness and fierce determination, reflect a powerful balance he seeks to emulate.
Jones has decorated his home with images of male lions, symbolizing qualities he admires.
“They’re not the biggest, but they have the mentality and they’re ferocious… I’ve watched hours of lions just attacking things that are so much bigger than them and through their persistence and grit, eventually, they get that bull to the floor. I carry that same mentality,”
Jones said.
The lasting impact of embracing diverse inspirations for Jon Jones’s career
Jon Jones’ open-mindedness in seeking motivation beyond MMA highlights his relentless pursuit of growth, both mentally and physically. By studying high achievers across different fields, from elite athletes to military organizations and nature’s fiercest predators, he gains unique insights that help maintain his competitive fire. This approach allows Jones to continually refine his craft and stay relevant in a sport where innovation is crucial.
His mindset demonstrates the value of learning from a variety of sources and applying those lessons in unexpected ways. For Jones, embodying the relentless spirit of a lion and the disciplined excellence of sports legends like Tom Brady and Michael Jordan is key to sustaining his success. As he moves forward in his career, this broad foundation of inspiration is likely to keep him motivated and adaptable, potentially extending his dominance in the UFC well into the future.