“All The Best At Any Sport Lost Games” – When Jon Jones Compared Himself To Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan

Jon Jones officially declared himself a part of the GOAT conversation in 2020. Comparing himself to Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan, Jones thrust himself into the comparison stratosphere. And with one loss in his career, that too due to disqualification, Jones may well stand among the greats. Jones, however, was drawing some different comparisons in comparing records with the greats. Particularly Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan.

Jon Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, last defended his belt against Dominic Reyes in UFC 247. And while winning his bout on points, several fans thought that Jones had a favorable result despite a lackluster showing.

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‘Bones’, however, believes that he is the greatest ever to take the octagon. So what comparisons did he draw exactly?

Jon Jones compares himself to Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan

Tweeting from his personal Twitter handle, Jones was fairly direct. He said that while the greatest of all time in other sports had some leeway with losing games; it seemed he didn’t. Wrote Jones, “Babe Ruth Michael Jordan, all the best at any sport, lost games.” 

Jones believed that while other sports, the greatest of all time, could notch some losses even on the biggest stage, he isn’t even allowed to have a close matchup. Wrote Jones, “My fight[s] aren’t even allowed to be competitive.”

Proving his mettle in how he took the criticism though, Jones moved on swiftly from it. Said Jones, “I got the message though, I’ll kick it up.”

Are the comparisons fair?

While Jones may be right in his observation, the comparison leaves little to be desired. Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan are both sporting icons that have affected entire generations with their play. While the Sultan of Swat changed the game with his power hitting and made the game more about home runs instead of strategy play, Jordan imbued the American psyche with an elite winners mentality.

Even to this day, few can impugn Jordan and his 6-0 finals record. And while both athletes undoubtedly lost games, the nature of their sport was such that it allowed them to come back from those losses.

Add to that both Ruth and Jordan were competitors in a team. Both competed in sports where the credit for a win was shared. And so too was the blame for a loss. Jones meanwhile competes in an individual sport.

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But what do you think? Is Jones fair in his comparison? Or do you think he stands in the conversation amongst the greats of the sport?