November 22, 2024

Jon Jones apologizes to reporter he bashed before UFC 232: ‘I was extremely disrespectful’

By Shakiel Mahjouri

Bloodyelbow.com

Jon Jones put an end to not one, but two rivalries on Saturday night. The newly minted UFC light heavyweight champion — who bested Alexander Gustafsson for the title — directed his attention to Swedish journalist Izabelle Kostic when speaking to media after the events of UFC 232.

“Sister here with the camera, I was extremely disrespectful to you and I’m sincerely sorry,” Jones addressed Kostic at the 26:30 mark in the video above. “I was ready to fight and I felt maybe a little of an attack, and I was not in the mood to lose. I was just not in the mood to lose, not even a verbal argument. I’m so sorry for disrespecting you.”

His apology follows the UFC 232 pre-fight conference on Thursday, Dec. 27. Kostic questioned Jones about the metabolite turinabol found in his system that compelled the UFC to move UFC 232 from Las Vegas to Inglewood on six days notice. “How come this is the third time we’re actually taking focus from the fighters and the fights, and talking about what you have in your body?” Kostic asked.

“Next question,” a visibly frustrated Jones responded. “Sit down. Someone take the mic from her… Better questions. Better journalism, you suck.”

Kostic accepted Jones’ apology on Twitter. “I appreciated [Jones’] apology tonight,” she tweeted on Sunday, Dec. 30. “To be the bigger man. Congrats, champ.”

Izabelle Kostic@ezflonko

I appreciated @jonbones apology tonight. Chose to be the bigger man. Congrats champ.8394:31 PM – Dec 30, 2018Twitter Ads info and privacy160 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy

Izabelle Kostic@ezflonko

🙈

Last post was obviously about @JonnyBones and not @jonbones. My bad 1805:34 PM – Dec 30, 2018Twitter Ads info and privacy28 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy

Jones defeated Gustafsson via third-round TKO to claim the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 232. The event took place at The Forum in Inglewood, California on Saturday, Dec. 29.

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