Jon Jones: 'A freeing feeling to be looked at as a piece of s--t'
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Once genuinely hoping to be an inspirational role model, Jon Jones has found peace in turning into the bad guy.
"Bones" went from having his reputation defined by his flawless fight record to constantly answering questions about his DUI, cocaine habit, hit-and-run incident, and failed drug test. Jones was initially hurt to see his public image tarnished, but now that's become so well known, it's actually made things easier.
"It's all out there in the public," Jones said on a conference call Monday, according to Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting. "And that's a freeing feeling to be looked at as a piece of shit by so many people. And to be able to just be real for yourself and to take responsibility for the things you've done wrong.
"I feel so free, man. It's a great feeling to be who I am. Jon Jones, the fuck up. Jon Jones, the great. However, you look at me, it's just great to be me. Alive. Whether you like me or hate me. It's just a great feeling to be relevant."
Jones showed his freedom at a press conference in May, poking fun at Daniel Cormier for having beaten him after a weekend of cocaine use, but he needed some time to get comfortable with the idea.
After watching a UFC 214 trailer titled "Tame Your Demons" that featured Jones talking about being a role model in 2011, he said he was uncomfortable with seeing where he had come from. However, since accepting his position, Jones hopes to be an inspiration for others who have made mistakes.
"I think my story is gonna really inspire somebody else who has fucked up," Jones said. "It's gonna really inspire somebody else. To realize that it is not over. 'Man, if Jon Jones can come back from the shit that he's been through and ultimately win and be the champion he's always been capable of being, (I can do it).'
"I'm glad that I'm used, as a laughingstock or whatever it might be to ultimately inspire, if it's just one person. If there's just one person that continues to fight because of my life. I'm glad to be in this position."
Jones will get his shot at redemption Saturday night in his rematch with Cormier for the light heavyweight title.