Islam Makhachev, Jon Jones ignite a very personal UFC legacy feud

Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones are going back and forth online.

Makhachev recently discredited Jones’ title run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship because of repeated drug-testing violations. Jones fired back at Makhachev, claiming the UFC’s drug-testing partners at the time had dismissed his failures as unintentional and not performance-enhancing.

In addition to defending his run-ins with USADA, “Bones” further boasted his near-perfect record while reminding Makhachev of his lone career loss against Adriano Martins in 2015. Jones listed several reasons why he considers his legacy superior to that of Makhachev, referencing praise he once received from Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, before taking a shot at Daniel Cormier.

“Let’s start this week by dispelling rumors that have been spread by people chasing me: 1. If you believe USADA for finding a picogram in my system, then you must believe USADA when they say “It was not found to be PERFORMANCE ENHANCING or INTENTIONAL.” You can’t have it both ways. 2. Last I checked, my hand got raised every time I was in the Octagon since any of you can remember. 3. Your own coach said I was “a gift from God.” 4. Let’s not forget you’ve been KO’d, flat-lined, went night night. 5. DC I kicked you in the head LOL; keep telling yourself it was steroids. Whatever you need to tell yourselves to sleep better at night, go for it. Keep chasing; it’s lonely at the top, Islam, hopefully I’ll see you up here one day.”

Responding to Jones, Makhachev said that he doesn’t intend to take away from the former UFC double champ’s achievements. However, the Russian subtly reminded Jones of his multiple run-ins with the law.

“Jon, I’m not trying to diminish your achievements in any way,” Makhachev responded. “But your whole life seems to be tied to breaking the rules one way or another, and somehow, you’re never the one to be blamed.”

Jones hasn’t fought since beating Stipe Miocic. He subsequently vacated the heavyweight title, but has left the door open to an Octagon return. Meanwhile, Makhachev is atop the sport at the moment, having recently recorded his first title defense at welterweight and breaking Anderson Silva’s record for most consecutive wins in UFC history.