Corey Anderson now has Jon Jones’ attention. The jury’s out on whether that’s good for his title prospects – or his image.
UFC champ Jones savaged Anderson after a viral confrontation, renaming the light heavyweight contender “Corny” and comparing him to “a clown getting booed in his hometown.”
Anderson took to Twitter to call himself a “victim” and said Jones “got emotional” after he appeared to confront the champ at a signing in his native New Jersey.
On video, Jones warned Anderson not to approach and exchanged words with Anderson’s coach, UFC vet Dante Rivera. Online, he mocked both for coming at him.
Anderson has used his Twitter account to campaign for a title shot and provoke contenders he believes aren’t worthy. With a three-fight winning streak and the No. 8 spot in the promotion’s light heavyweight rankings, the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 19” is only outranked by Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes. But he knows a well-placed callout can expedite his opportunity, as it did for Anthony Smith.
Jones expects to return to the octagon at the end of the year. But he doesn’t appear to be in any hurry to give Anderson what he wants.
That doesn’t mean he’s just going to sit there and let Anderson besmirch his online reputation. As Jones has repeatedly shown, he’s always watching, and he won’t take any crap.
Come at “Bones,” and expect to get back as good as you give.
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