Jon Jones is staying positive after a return performance at UFC 197 saw him at less than his best, and he thinks it’s only going to drive him further into his rematch with Daniel Cormier later this year.
“Last night’s fight was an important piece of the puzzle,” Jones wrote on Instagram. “I will use this slight frustration I feel about my performance as fuel for the next one. Everything happens for a reason, I’m grateful for the lessons I’m learning every day.”
UFC 197 was Jones’ first fight since January of 2015 due to his hit and run accident, and he defeated Ovince Saint Preux by unanimous decision. He’s now technically the Interim Light Heavyweight Champion, though he handed the belt back to Dana White after the win and said he wanted his “real” belt back.
Penick’s Analysis: Jones’ win over OSP was not some negative sign of decline or any statement about where he’s at in his return. If anything, the fact that he hurt and still entirely out-worked a top ten fighter – one for whom he had less than two weeks to prepare – after 15 months out is a pretty damned solid statement. Expect him to be much better against Daniel Cormier when that fight happens later this year.
[Photo (c) Mark J. Rebilas via USA Today Sports]
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