Jon Jones’ wrestling coach speak with 12 Sports on the G.O.A.T.’s Southern Tier legacy

Long before he was the G.O.A.T., Jon “Bones” Jones was a Union-Endicott Tiger.

“Regardless of what side of Jon you’re on, the pro Jon or the negative of Jon, undoubtably he’s at this point the greatest that has ever been involved in that game.”

Union-Endicott head wrestling coach, and member of Jones’ training team, J-J Stanbro, has high praise for the U-E alum. Stanbro is lucky enough to have known, and worked with Jon from a very young age.

“We knew early on they were different. There was something special about the Jones boys,” exclaimed Stanbro.

Along with his brothers, Arthur and Chandler, the former heavyweight champion left a last effect on Union-Endicott years after he walked its halls.

The Tigers’ wrestling coach said, “The kids look around and they notice the door. They see their pictures upstairs, the golden footballs that are upstairs from the Jones’, Jon’s picture from the UFC.”

Jon Jones recently retired from the Ultimate Fighting Championship as the heavyweight title holder. He is also one of nine fighters all-time to win a belt in two weight classes.

“It’s really impressive to see what he has turned himself into. It’s truly is what Jon has created of Jon. Because everything he’s got is just blood, sweat, and tears on his part,“ echoed Stanbro.

It’s also a creation that Stanbro said we may not have seen the last of either, “At the moment, he’s retiring. Is he done; are any of us ever done doing what we do and enjoy? My take is probably not the last time we’ll see him.”

Jones hung up his gloves after a 28-1-0 record with 1 no contest. The lone loss came from a controversial DQ against Matt Hamill. Stanbro said he believes Jones is still working to get the DQ overturned.