Conor McGregor and Jon Jones are undeniably two of the greatest fighters who’ve ever lived, but with constant issues outside of the cage, a legend is reluctant to put them on an MMA Mount Rushmore.
The icon has instead chosen athletes he believes have represented the sport in a better way.
Randy Couture says Conor McGregor and Jon Jones’ behavior could rule them out of the MMA Mount Rushmore discussion
In his illustrious career, Randy Couture proved himself as one of the greatest fighters to have ever graced the UFC.
Blessed with incredible wrestling skills and an iron will to win, the American captured world titles in two weight divisions.
Having accomplished so much, the former heavyweight King is the perfect man to select which names deserve their places on a mythical MMA Mount Rushmore.
Of course, lowering the list down to just four warriors is always a challenge, with the icon making a case for an array of quality fighters, including, Georges St-Pierre, Royce Gracie, B.J. Penn, Dan Henderson and Chuck Liddell.
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Part of the reason why Couture gives these stars so much credit is because of the way they carried themselves outside of the octagon.
And with that said, he’s reluctant to definitively put Conor McGregor and Jon Jones in the mix.
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, Couture explained: “You probably have to consider Conor McGregor; I’m not a fan of some of the extracurricular stuff that’s gone on with Conor.
“I’ve just met Conor last year in Riyadh at the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou boxing match. It was the first time I’ve ever looked him in the eye and shook his hand – he was certainly vigorous and nice to me.
“Everybody wants to say Jon Jones, but there are these extracurricular things that have been going on, that are public knowledge, that I think restrict that GOAT conversation because of that.
“It’s not just what you do in the cage that’s important, it’s how you carry yourself, and how you represent your sport, your family and yourself outside of the cage as well. Those things factor in my mind when you start talking about an MMA Mount Rushmore-type situation.
“B.J. has had his issues here and there with some stuff, but nothing to the extent those two have had.”
Randy Couture gives wild pick for the greatest fighter of this era
In a sport as competitive as mixed martial arts, there are several fighters in the mix to be considered the best of the modern day.
The likes of Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev are currently making their cases, while Dana White will die on the hill that Jones is still the number one.
However, Couture has a different line of thinking.
The 61-year-old gave an interesting opinion on who truly is the greatest fighter still battling it out in the cage.
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