Jon 'Bones' Jones' Father Wanted Him to Preach, Not Join UFC
Jon "Bones" Jones, currently the youngest champion in UFC history at 24 years old, should have been a preacher, according to his father.
Jones, the middle son of Pastor Arthur Jones of Mount Sinai Church of God in Christ, in Binghamton, N.Y., admitted that he did not initially encourage his son's desire pursue a Mixed Martial Arts career.
"I wanted him to preach," the pastor said about his 24-year-old son. "I tried to discourage him from being a fighter. I told him you don't want to do that. You can do other things. Be a pastor."
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However, it seems Pastor Jones began recognizing that there was a connection between his son's faith and the MMA.
"In biblical times, there was always warfare: David and Goliath, Sampson, the enemies of the Israelites," the older Jones said. "They fought in the valleys, on the hills, in the mountains. My son trains for every fight, not just physically but spiritually."
In a FOX Sports report, Jones' father explained that his son had a special presence since birth.
"He was born like that," Jones said. "Even when he was a baby. He didn't have to say 'pick me up.' You knew. Even when he cried, he would look you in the eye. Even then, he just had a commanding presence."
The pastor said he feels as though his son may already be ministering the word of God.
"In a way, I think Jon is preaching," Jones' father said.
Before and after his highly-publicized win against former friend Rashad Evans at UFC 145 on Saturday, Jones made sure to give God thanks on Twitter.
"2 Timothy 1:7. I thank God for his many blessings, I pray that God's will be done," Jones tweeted. "To God be the glory." The Bible verse reads (NIV): "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
