Conor McGregor’s arrival in the UFC was a turning point not just for the promotion, but for the entire sport of mixed martial arts. Bursting onto the scene in 2013, McGregor quickly became a global sensation with his brash trash talk, unparalleled confidence, and electrifying performances inside the Octagon.
From record-breaking pay-per-view numbers to sold-out arenas worldwide, McGregor’s presence helped the UFC transcend its niche combat sports audience and reach mainstream pop culture. Before McGregor, the UFC had stars, but none who could generate the level of buzz and financial success that he brought. His meteoric rise saw him become the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously, an achievement that further cemented his legacy.
Throughout his career, McGregor has earned respect from some of the sport’s greatest athletes, including Jon Jones. While the two have never been close training partners, they have often expressed admiration for each other. Jones, who dominated the light heavyweight division for years, has spoken highly of McGregor’s ability to elevate the UFC’s global appeal. Recently, Jones reaffirmed this respect by commenting on an Instagram post.
Jon Jones heaps praise on Conor McGregor
While the GOAT debate in the UFC is always going to be debatable, there’s hardly any debate when it comes to the most popular athlete. McGregor has held that title for nearly a decade and it’s highly unlikely that we will ever see someone as charismatic as the Irish legend. Jones, who is arguably the greatest fighter ever, understands that.
The 37-year-old took to comments under an Instagram post to shower praise on McGregor. The post from ESPN MMA was about Alex Pereira joining Jones and McGregor as only the third athlete to be introduced as “The one, the only,” by Bruce Buffer.
The Heavyweight Champion wrote, “There’s only one Conor McGregor.” Although friendships in this sport are rare to come by, Jones and McGregor have always had respect for one another. With the 37-year-old publicly acknowledging his greatness, it further cements that there’s only love between two of the greatest to ever do it.
Prateek is a seasoned content writer with over 2500 published articles and two+ years of experience. His passion for UFC was ignited during Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise, and closely following McGregor’s journey inspired him to bring a sharp, fan-driven perspective to his UFC coverage, blending detailed analysis with compelling storytelling.
