The crowd was vociferous throughout UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden and when the dust settled; it was Jon Jones standing tall once again. In classic ‘Bones’ fashion, the undisputed heavyweight champion showcased why he’s considered a generational talent. Taking on Stipe Miocic, a former 2-time heavyweight champion and considered one of the best UFC heavyweights ever, Jones dismantled him with surgical precision.

From crisp jabs to thunderous kicks, Jones painted a masterclass in combat. For the 37-year-old champion, this wasn’t just a milestone but also a tribute to a man who had shaped his journey. In a recent post shared on social media, Jon Jones paid his respect and shared the “surreal” feeling of what it’s like to tie a record held by Anderson Silva, the man whose unparalleled dominance made him a legend in the sport!

Jon Jones sends a heartfelt message to his “personal GOAT” Anderson Silva after eclipsing his record  

In a recent post shared on Instagram, Jon Jones stated, “From idolizing Anderson Silva as a young man to now being tied with him for the most finishes in title fights—it’s surreal.” The former UFC light heavyweight champion recalled watching Silva’s reign and dreaming of emulating even a fraction of his greatness. Now, standing shoulder to shoulder with his idol, he expressed gratitude for the path Silva paved.

‘Bones’ continued by confessing, “To now share this honor with someone I’ve admired so deeply is beyond words. Respect and gratitude always to my personal GOAT.” Silva’s legacy is cemented in UFC lore. With 10 consecutive title defenses in the middleweight division, he remains the gold standard of dominance with his highlight reel performances that captured an entire generation of fight fans.

His record of 9 finishes in title fights emerged as a mountain few dared to climb. Yet Jones, armed with 16 title fight wins and 12 successful defenses across two divisions, has matched that summit, proving his place among the sport’s legends. The torch passed from Silva’s era of artistry to Jones’ reign of calculated brilliance. As fans, it’s worth asking, how rare is it to see a legend honor another in this way.

While Jones basks in the glow of his latest achievement, the world watches with anticipation. Will he carve out an even greater legacy by unifying the heavyweight belts by taking on Tom Aspinall? That’s been the question on the MMA sphere’s mind. Yet for Joe Rogan, the heavyweight king has already eclipsed a certain Irishman when it comes to leaving a lasting legacy in the sport!

Rogan believes Jones is in a “different category” than other UFC megastars  

In the world of MMA, two names often dominate the conversation—Jon Jones and Conor McGregor. Both are megastars in their own right, but when it comes to legacy, UFC commentator Joe Rogan sees a clear winner.

Speaking on the JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) episode no. 2232, Rogan stated, “Jones in a different category, Conor self-destructed in a lot of ways because of money.” Before his high-profile boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017, he boasted a 9-1 UFC record, with seven knockouts and two championship titles to his name. As Rogan put it, “But when Conor was in his prime, he was a f—–g assassin.”

But that Mayweather fight was a turning point. McGregor earned a fortune, catapulting him to the top of combat sports’ rich list. Yet, his Octagon performances took a hit leading to multiple losses. In contrast, Jones has maintained an unbroken reign of dominance. According to the JRE host, “He’s a different kind of guy. I mean, he’s been at the top for 14 f—–g years. He was the youngest guy to ever win a UFC title, 23. But when Jon Jones won that title at 23, it’s just been destruction of everyone ever since.”

Rogan also acknowledged that Jones has had his share of controversies but emphasized that his brilliance inside the cage overshadows those issues. As Jones continues to climb new heights, tying Anderson Silva’s record and cementing his place among the sport’s legends, the question remains, how much higher can he soar? Will he silence all the critics by taking on the challenge of Tom Aspinall next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!