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Jon Jones is willing to build bridges between himself and Rashad Evans, but it seems that training together is a bridge too far.
Four years ago yesterday, Jon Jones and Rashad Evans stepped inside the cage to settle a feud years in the making, and on the line was the UFC light heavyweight championship.
The back story was promotional gold. Jones and Evans had been training partners at the legendary Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M.. Jones was the upstart novice to MMA with worlds of potential; Evans was the former champion and still highly ranked competitor trying to get back to the belt he lost to Lyoto Machida. The two were friends and teammates, the term ‘brother' was thrown around. Then Jones won the title, and their relationship deteriorated. They fought at UFC 145 in 2012 with Jones winning convincingly.
Since then, Evans has had a rough go of it in the cage. He is 2-3 in his last 5 fights and last weekend he was knocked out in the first round by Glover Teixeira in the main event of UFC on Fox 19. After the loss, Evans was noticeably emotional and the talk began in earnest about whether Evans would ever fight again.
Considering their rivalry, and Jones's proclivity for social media gaffes, one might have expected Jones to do something he couldn't do to Evans when they fought for the title, and kick Evans when he's down. But on the contrary, after Evans's loss to Teixeira Jones offered encouragement to his former rival. On Twitter, he commented that he felt bad for Evans losing in the manner that he did. He also posted to Instagram saying calling Evans a "legend" and telling him to keep his "head up" in a post that has since been deleted.
In light of his recent outspoken support of Evans, at the UFC 197 media day scrum Jones was asked him if he still held any animosity towards his former rival.
"I think it's safe to say my beef with Rashad is gone. You know I won that fight when we fought so if anyone were to have hurt feelings I would imagine it would be him. Me and Rashad had really great moments before our drama started and you know those moments, I think me and him will both remember those good times," Jones said.
If the beef is completely gone, the question then becomes could the two fighters mend fences enough to become friends again? What about training partners? Unlikely.
"As far as Rashad coming down to Jackson's, I think he'd be a tremendous training partner but at the same time I think he's a little too close to Anthony Johnson. I think his loyalty will always be with Anthony over me and I don't know how much I could trust him to be a training partner in the future," Jones said.
Jones fights Ovince Saint Preux for the interim UFC light heavyweight championship this Saturday at UFC 197 in Las Vegas, Nev.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Job description. Conor McGregor releases statement on why he did not want to fulfill his media obligations for UFC 200.
Too late? The UFC reportedly officially removed the Nate Diaz-Conor McGregor fight from UFC 200.
Sport savior. Jon Jones wants to fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 200.
Rodney Dangerfield. Ovince Saint Preux doesn't think Jon Jones respects him as an opponent.
Best in the game. Esther Lin, best photographer in MMA, took photos at UFC 197 media day.
EXTRA CREDIT READING
Duplicitous crazy person. Jordan Breen of Sherdog.com opines on Dana White and his propensity for stretching the truth.
GGG. Jonathan Snowden discusses boxing treasure Gennady Golovkin and the difficulties in getting him fights. Golovkin fights this Saturday and you should absolutely watch if you are into concussive violence.
MEDIA STEW
Embedded 3. Cejudo's friend is ridiculous.
Wanderlei calling CM a blue belt at best. Somehow both complimentary and condescending here.
Elias Theodorou is going to have a long career in the Fox Sports booth when he is done with fighting.
Funniest one in a while.
Chael expounds on the McGregor situation adding to his earlier statements in light of McGregor's statement today.
LONG WATCHES
Anik and Florian weigh in on the Conor McGregor situation.
Jordan Breen and Greg Savage discuss McGregor and Dana "not being mad"
Good interview with flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
TWEETS
Ian McCall saying what we are all thinking.
*Entire game other than Nate Diaz.
I've got my bills paid. My money made. And the entire game slayed. #YourMove pic.twitter.com/wOgbNgUPVd
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 22, 2016
I love this man.
And I'm still waiting on someone to help me change my bum life
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) April 21, 2016
We would all come out as winners here.
Dear, Conor, I am willing to put on my best Irish accent and do all your press obligations so you can train. Your pal, Elias. #UFC200
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) April 21, 2016
Sean McCorkle actually had a series of good tweets about it being insane that other fighters would side with the UFC in a contract dispute. This one is the one that made me laugh.
I know fighters who literally would fight for free just to be on TV. Or just to be able to say "I fought in the UFC"
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) April 22, 2016
They're called morons
I mean I already saw them fight. Some McGregor-Diaz press conference is pretty appealing....
Ur call now. You are the customers. What do you want? Press conferences or fights? Make some noise because we're ready to do the damn thing!
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) April 21, 2016
No words.
BREAKING NEWS: I goaded Conor McGregor out of retirement.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 21, 2016
Just announced he'll fight on. https://t.co/Xs3uYy4RBH
That was brief.
Probably less dangerous than the shark filled waters of 185.
Joe Duffy rocking a Conor McGregor shirt is unexpected.
2 on 1, could they take him?
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Erik Koch (14-4-0) vs Shane Campbell (12-4-0); UFC Fight Night 88, May 29. (Campbell replaces Joe Proctor)
Felice Herrig (10-6-0) vs. Kailin Curran (4-2-0); UFC on Fox 20, July 23.
Randa Markos (5-3-0) vs Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (6-2-0); UFC Fight Night 89, June 18.
Louis Smolka (10-1-0) vs. Ben Nguyen (14-5-0); UFC Fight Night 91, July 13.
Kyle Noke (22-8-1-) vs. Keita Nakamura (31-7-2); UFC Fight Night 91, July 13.
Tim Boetsch (18-10-0) vs. Josh Samman (12-3-0); UFC Fight Night 91, July 13.
Scott Holtzman (8-1-0) vs. Cody Pfister (12-5-1); UFC Fight Night 91, July 13.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2011: Pride veteran and fan favorite Akira Shoji fought his retirement match against Kazuo Misaki at Deep 53 in Tokyo, Japan. Misaki stopped Shoji with punches in the second round. After the bout, both men were overcome by emotion and broke out in tears.
2010: Bellator 15 was held at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. In a quarterfinal tournament bout, Patricio Friere defeated William Romero by heel hook in the first round.
2006: Yuka Tsjui defended her Smackgirl lightweight championship (115 lbs.) for the second time, defeating Cami Hostetler by armbar in the second round.
Think I missed a spot? Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.
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