'Greatest in history' Jon Jones surprises by including Brazilian legends in his list

Jon Jones pointed Anderson Silva as one of the greatest in history. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

On the eve of the fight that could mark the end of his career de Jon Jones, discussions about who are the greatest of all time are once again stirring up the world of mixed martial arts. In a dynamic sport, where success and failure can be defined in a second, naming the greatest is not an easy task. In an interview with 'ESPN MMA', 'Bones', considered by many to be the greatest in the sport, was asked about which fighters he would put alongside him in the 'Mount Rushmore' of MMA, and his answer was surprising.

Without naming himself, Jones was asked to name three fighters he considers the greatest, most influential or most iconic in the history of the sport. The heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) did not hesitate and chose Anderson Silva like the first one.

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“I would have to put one of my favorite fighters of all time in there, Anderson Silva, just the way he was so ahead of the curve at the time. In fact if he was here today, I think he would still be a top fighter,” Jones said.

Bones then expressed his respect and named former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. He also mentioned the Gracie family and emphasized the importance of Brazilians in contributing to and creating the sport.

“George St. Pierre, being a professional, the way he conducted himself outside of the sport, I think he elevated all of us with his reign. The Gracie family. The Gracies did so much for mixed martial arts and a lot of times they get overlooked. But yes, the Gracies were extraordinary in this sport. They brought Jiu-Jitsu to America and really created the sport. So you have to put a Gracie in there,” concluded Bones.

Known for developing and popularizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), the Gracie family was one of the pillars in the creation of modern MMA, especially after demonstrating the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu in the first UFC events through Royce gracie

Mount Rushmore symbolizes the history, foundation and values ​​of the United States. The monument, with the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into the mountain, represents different aspects of the country's development.