There’s no doubt that in the world of sports, anything an athlete says about another athlete quickly becomes the talk of the town, and often, it gets misinterpreted. That’s exactly what seems to have happened with Jon Jones, who is currently facing backlash from Islam Makhachev’s fans.
Jones recently made a comment about Islam Makhachev that stirred up backlash among Islam’s fans. The comment came during a conversation with Nate Diaz and a show host, during which they discussed Makhachev’s career and its potential longevity.
Meanwhile, Jones clarified his intent in an interview with Red Corner MMA. He explained that he wasn’t criticizing Makhachev personally, but was instead helping to convey Nate Diaz’s message to Russian fans. Since Jones is currently involved in a Russian reality show filming in Thailand, he wanted to ensure the Russian audience could understand Diaz’s perspective, which is often expressed in his typical, blunt, unfiltered style.
“I was helping Nate Diaz’s message reach Russian fans. I feel like the comment that I made upset a lot of Islam’s fans, but really what I was trying to do is to translate Nate for the Russians. Nate speaks in a laid back way he speaks with a lot of slangs. And if you are not American it may be hard to understand,” he said.
🗣️Jon Jones explains his recent comment on Islam Makhachev — ‘I was helping Nate Diaz’s message reach Russian fans.’
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 20, 2025
"I feel like the comment that I made upset a lot of Islam's fans, but really what I was trying to do is to translate Nate for the Russians." Jon Jones, who is… pic.twitter.com/6h3oZIHM4l
It was more about acting as a translator or cultural bridge for Diaz’s remarks. It was a case of misinterpretation, and Jones acknowledged the unintended offense it may have caused.
Javier Mendez Feels UFC Must Pay Jon Jones Well To Make Him Fight Tom Aspinall
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Islam Makhachev’s coach believes a potential fight with Jones depends heavily on the UFC meeting his financial expectations. During a conversation with Tim Welch, Mendez explained that Jones is highly strategic and only accepts challenges he believes he can win. Known for his competitive mindset, Jones is unlikely to risk his reputation unless he feels fully prepared and properly compensated.
Mendez suggests that without the right deal, Jones won’t be easily ready to step into the cage. Indeed, it will be interesting to see if Dana White is willing to offer Jon Jones the kind of paycheck that could make the fight happen. Fans are eager to see how this unfolds.
Also Read: Jon Jones Subtly Dismisses Tom Aspinall, Confident Of An Easy UFC Comeback Win
