Jon Jones directly addressed his public image while making appearances at his Dirty Boxing event and later at UFC 327, responding to how he is portrayed in the media following recent incidents.
At the event, Shea Filling told Jones, "You are nothing [like] what I expected," referencing his reputation. When she added, "The media, there’s a lot of stuff out there about you," and, "And you think, ‘What would he be like in person?’ And you’re completely the opposite of that," Jones replied, "Yeah? Did you expect me to be a scary guy?" before thanking her.
Jones then spoke more broadly about how his actions are viewed, saying, "Yeah. You know, I am a little bit of a wild guy and and I’m pretty well known. So when I mess up, it gets very, very public. But I do believe I’m a way more good of a person than I am any negative. We all have our things, you know. We all have our sides. But I think I’m a pretty good person."
According to the article, Jones was involved in a road rage incident a week prior where he confronted someone in a parking lot with what looked like a gun in his hoodie pocket. The article also states he previously threatened to have a police officer murdered in February 2025 and was accused of threatening a female DFSI agent during a random test the year before.
The article notes Jones has been publicly insisting he is not a villain and is a good person since 2012, and that in 2017 he said, "It’s all out there in the public, and that’s a freeing feeling to be looked at as a piece of s--t by so many people," and, "I feel so free, man. It’s a great feeling to be who I am. Jon Jones, the f--k up. Jon Jones, the great. However, you look at me, it’s just great to be me."
