Jon Jones ‘Learned Not To Care’ About Matt Hamill DQ Loss
The only loss on Jon Jones‘ professional mixed martial arts (MMA) record remains a 2009 disqualification loss to Matt Hamill.
Recently, UFC President Dana White revealed he’s working to try and get that loss overturned. Jones was disqualified for hitting Hamill with 12-6 elbow strikes, a maneuver that is currently illegal in MMA competition. However, many – such as UFC commentator Joe Rogan – find the rule absurd, and support White’s attempts to get the win overturned.
And then there are those such as Chael Sonnen, who point out that the strike is still an illegal one, no matter how ridiculous the rule, it’s still a rule nonetheless, and Jones’ disqualification loss is legitimate. Amidst all the back-and-forth as to whether or not the loss should be overturned, Jones quietly prepares to defend his title next weekend at UFC 239.
Speaking on Bruce Buffer’s “It’s Time” podcast recently, Jones was asked about his loss to Hamill and the attempts to get it overturned. “Bones” admitted that he has learned not to care about the loss anymore, but would obviously be thrilled if it was overturned (via MMA News):
“I’ve learned not to care about it,” Jones said. “I feel like sometimes when a fighter is undefeated, they start to fight to protect this undefeated record instead of taking on new challenges and risking taking on scary guys.
“”So there is some good in not technically being called that undefeated fighter, but I do also understand that on the promotional side, there’s so much Dana White could do with marketing his light heavyweight champion as this undefeated fighter. It just makes it a bigger deal to the rest of the world.
“If (the loss is overturned), that’d be great. But if not, I’ve already gotten comfortable with that Matt Hamill loss experience. At the end of the day, it was my mistake, and it was a good learning experience for me.”
Jones will take on Thiago Santos in the main event of UFC 239 on pay-per-view (PPV) this weekend (Sat. July 6, 2019) from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. With another potential victory and successful 205-pound title defense, perhaps Jones will give a move up to heavyweight some consideration.
What do you think about the recent attempts to overturn Jones’ loss to Hamill?
