Jon Jones lets out an excited roar and his eyes widen with glee when he sees the custom-made shorts he will wear on Saturday.
The red and black shorts sport two snarling lion heads, but it is the bible verse in gold lettering which draws Jones’ attention.
The verse, titled Philippians 4:13, is the same one seen tattooed on Jones’ chest throughout the majority of his extraordinary UFC career.
Jones, 37, is a remarkable athlete, widely regarded as one of, if not the best in UFC history.
But he is equally as controversial, with a series of arrests and charges for incidents in his personal life, coupled with two doping bans in the UFC, casting question marks over his legacy.
The bible verse has helped Jones reach glorious highs and recover from soul-crushing lows, and it will inspire him once again when he defends his heavyweight title against fellow American Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“My late mother used to recite [Philippians 4:13] to me all the time – ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’,” said Jones., external
“This is my superpower, my relationship, faith. God has helped me through so many personal battles, not only in the octagon but in life. He has sustained me and given me strength in some really hard times.”
