Firas Zahabi Explains Why He Thinks Jon Jones Isn’t The GOAT

Zahabi believes fighters should be banned if they test positive

Firas Zahabi Jon Jones
Firas Zahabi doesn't think Jon Jones is the GOAT - Image Credit @firas_zahabi @Jonnybones Instagram

Firas Zahabi doesn’t think Jon Jones should be considered the GOAT.

Entering UFC 285, many fans and fighters had Jones as the MMA GOAT. Then, in the main event of the pay-per-view card, Jones helped cement that even further by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round to become the heavyweight champion. He is now a two-division champion, but TriStar head coach, Firas Zahabi doesn’t think Jones is the GOAT due to his past failed drug tests.

“Jon Jones calls himself the GOAT. Guys, I hate to say it, he’s not the GOAT,” Zahabi said on TriStar Gym’s YouTube channel. “You can’t fail drug tests and be the GOAT. If you guys ask me, can I put my vote in the hat? If you get caught on a banned substance – okay not weed or like they have some weird things on there – if you get caught with a hormone, I think you should be banned for life. It’s irreversible by the way, the University of Toronto they have a study on hormones and PEDs, and the effects or irreversible.”

‘Why is it in our sport, they don’t ban you for life?’

Zahabi also points to cycling and how they treat anyone that tests positive for PEDs. According to the coach, he says in cycling they get banned and all their medals were taken when they test positive, which is far from what happens in MMA and in the UFC.

“Someone answer me this one question, please? Why is it in cycling if you get caught they ban you for life and they take all your medals? Everything you ever did in your career is gone,” Zahabi added. “Why in MMA you get a slap on the wrist? You get suspended for six months or a year. That’s nothing to a fighter. Let me chill for a year, let me let my wounds heal, let the division beat each other up and let me pick the fight when I come back. Why is it in our sport, they don’t ban you for life? Not only that, you get caught and you keep your titles, you keep them all and you are still in the Hall of Fame.”

Although Firas Zahabi doesn’t think Jon Jones is the GOAT due to his failed drug tests, many still view ‘Bones’ as the GOAT and his last win helped cement that. But, perhaps drug tests should be taken into the GOAT discussion.

Published on March 10, 2023 at 11:36 am
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