Demetrious Johnson reacts to Jon Jones’ recent troubles, discusses pound-for-pound standings

For a long time, UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson was the king of the pound-for-pound list. Then Jon Jones, the former pound-for-pound king, returned to action, knocked out Daniel Cormier to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title, and stole the top spot back.

Unfortunately, Jones once again found himself in boiling hot water when news broke that he’d failed a drug test on the eve of his UFC 214 battle with Cormier. In the wake of this news, his status as pound-for-pound king was once again called into question.

In a recent interview with MMAJunkie.com, Johnson weighed in on his and Jones’ neck-and-neck race for the number-one spot on the pound-for-pound list. Apparently, the flyweight champ isn’t too worried about it.

“There was one time when Jon Jones was inactive for, I think it was a long time, and I was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” Johnson explained. “And then he got reinstated as active, and he was (up) just like that.

“Do you think my breakfast tasted any different? Do you think me wiping my ass that day changed any different? It did not.”

Johnson then weighed in on Jones’ many recent troubles.

“This whole downfall of what’s going on with him – which, I don’t wish it upon anybody,” Johnson said. “Do you think I’m excited that I’m back at No. 1? That I’m clicking my heels together? Absolutely not. The fans are going to perceive and change their mind on certain different things and try to discredit you whenever they get the chance.

“So, for me, I don’t even worry about that anymore. I just worry about staying healthy, going out and fighting, and that’s it.”

What do you think of this take from UFC flyweight king Demetrious Johnson? Do you consider him or Jones to be the pound-for-pound best fighter alive?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 8/31/2017.