Comparing Jon Jones to the Cycling Legend

Lance Armstrong’s name has always evoked polarising emotions, from admiration for his dominance in cycling to disdain for the doping scandal that tainted his career. However, when Javier Mendez, the head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), recently compared MMA fighter Jon Jones to Armstrong, the cycling community found itself in an uproar. Mendez’s comments, suggesting that Jones’ accomplishments in mixed martial arts (MMA) mirrored Armstrong’s legendary status in cycling, sparked a wave of backlash from both fans and professionals in the cycling world.

To Mendez, both athletes represent the pinnacle of their respective sports, despite their checkered pasts. He argued that, like Armstrong in cycling, Jones has transformed MMA and redefined what it means to be the best. Yet, while Jones has long been hailed as one of MMA’s greatest fighters, Armstrong’s legacy is far more controversial. The comparison immediately struck a nerve with the cycling community, reviving heated debates about Armstrong’s place in the history of the sport.

Lance Armstrong: The G.O.A.T Debate

Lance Armstrong is undeniably one of the most accomplished cyclists to ever grace the sport. His seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005 cemented his status as the sport’s dominant figure for nearly a decade. His success story, made even more compelling by his recovery from testicular cancer, captured the world and inspired millions.

However, Armstrong’s downfall came in 2012, when the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) stripped him of his titles after it was revealed that he had used performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) throughout much of his career. Armstrong later admitted to the doping charges in a highly publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey, which tarnished his legacy and reignited debates about whether his accomplishments could still stand, even in light of the doping revelations.

The question of Armstrong’s status as the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time) cyclist remains contentious. Some argue that his achievements, regardless of doping, showcase a level of skill, resilience, and dominance that is unparalleled in the sport’s history. Others, however, believe that his legacy is irreparably damaged and that he can no longer be considered the greatest due to his involvement in what has been described as one of the most sophisticated doping programs in sports history.

Javier Mendez’s Comments: A Controversial Comparison

Javier Mendez’s comparison between Lance Armstrong and Jon Jones came during an interview discussing the topic of “greatness” in sports. Mendez, who has trained some of the greatest MMA fighters in the world, including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cain Velasquez, was asked about Jon Jones and his place in MMA history. Mendez remarked that Jones’ dominance in MMA reminded him of Armstrong’s reign in cycling, calling both men “game-changers” in their respective fields.

Mendez stated, “Lance Armstrong, despite all the controversy, was the best cyclist of his era—maybe of all time. Jon Jones is the same in MMA. You can’t take away from what they’ve accomplished just because of their mistakes. They changed the game, and no one did it better.”

The statement seemed simple enough, but the cycling community was quick to pounce. Many felt that comparing Armstrong’s achievements, clouded by doping, to Jones’ success was a step too far. While Jones himself has been embroiled in multiple controversies, including drug test failures and run-ins with the law, many in the cycling community argued that the nature and scale of Armstrong’s actions made the comparison inappropriate.

The Cycling Community’s Reaction: Fury and Backlash

The backlash from the cycling world was swift and fierce. Prominent figures in the sport took to social media and various platforms to voice their discontent with Mendez’s remarks. For many, the comparison between Jon Jones and Lance Armstrong was seen as a false equivalence, given the magnitude of Armstrong’s scandal and the impact it had on cycling’s credibility as a whole.

“Lance Armstrong orchestrated one of the biggest doping schemes in sports history. To compare his legacy to Jon Jones is an insult to every cyclist who’s ever raced clean,” tweeted former professional cyclist David Millar, himself a reformed doper who became an advocate for clean cycling after serving his ban.

Others echoed similar sentiments, arguing that Mendez’s comments displayed a lack of understanding about the depth of Armstrong’s deception and the lasting damage it caused to cycling’s reputation. “Armstrong didn’t just cheat; he bullied and destroyed the careers of clean riders. That’s not greatness; that’s manipulation,” wrote journalist and cycling analyst Paul Kimmage, who has long been critical of Armstrong.

While Jon Jones has also had his share of scandals, including multiple suspensions due to positive drug tests, his supporters argue that his actions do not rise to the same level as Armstrong’s systemic doping. They point out that Jones’ skill inside the octagon has remained unmatched despite his out-of-competition controversies. In contrast, Armstrong’s entire career was built on a foundation of deception, which they argue disqualifies him from being considered the G.O.A.T.

Defending Lance Armstrong’s Legacy: Is He Still the G.O.A.T?

Despite the vehement backlash, there remains a significant portion of the cycling community and sports fans who believe that Lance Armstrong is still the greatest cyclist of all time. They argue that doping was rampant during Armstrong’s era and that he was simply playing the same game as his competitors. In their view, Armstrong’s talent, drive, and sheer will to win set him apart, regardless of the means he used to achieve his victories.

“He was the best of the best, even if the playing field wasn’t clean,” said one fan in defence of Armstrong. “If you look at his competition, most of them were doping too, and yet none of them could come close to his dominance. He was still head and shoulders above the rest.”

This argument, often referred to as the “level playing field” defence, suggests that because doping was widespread in cycling during Armstrong’s era, his use of PEDs should not detract from his accomplishments. Proponents of this view see Armstrong’s victories as proof of his greatness, even in a sport that was marred by cheating across the board.

However, critics of this defence argue that it misses the point. Armstrong’s actions went beyond personal doping; he pressured teammates into doping, intimidated whistleblowers, and perpetuated a culture of dishonesty within his teams. For many, this level of manipulation disqualifies him from being considered the GOAT.

Jon Jones: A Parallel Controversy?

While Jon Jones has had his controversies, including multiple failed drug tests for banned substances like Turinabol, the public perception of his legacy remains more forgiving than Armstrong’s. Jones is still widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, if not the greatest. His unmatched record in the octagon, combined with his ability to dominate opponents across multiple eras of the sport, has earned him widespread acclaim.

Jones’ supporters point out that his positive tests were for substances detected in small amounts and may not have significantly impacted his performance. Additionally, Jones has shown a remarkable ability to come back from adversity, continuing to win titles and break records despite his off-the-field issues.

However, for some in the cycling community, the fact that Jones has managed to maintain his standing in MMA despite his controversies is precisely what makes the comparison to Armstrong so irksome. They argue that cycling has faced a far harsher reckoning with its doping scandals, while Jones’ issues seem to have been brushed aside more easily by the MMA world.

A Controversial Comparison That Divides

Javier Mendez’s comparison of Lance Armstrong to Jon Jones has reignited a heated debate about what it means to be the greatest in any sport. While Armstrong’s defenders argue that his dominance in cycling, even in a tainted era, still qualifies him as the G.O.A.T, his critics remain steadfast in their belief that his actions disqualify him from such a title.

Similarly, Jon Jones’ legacy in MMA is also mired in controversy, but he continues to be celebrated for his skill and accomplishments in the sport. Whether or not it’s fair to compare these two athletes, both Armstrong and Jones represent the complicated nature of greatness in sports—where success and scandal often go hand in hand.

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: both Lance Armstrong and Jon Jones have left indelible marks on their respective sports, for better or for worse. Whether history will remember them as the G.O.A.T or as cautionary tales remains to be seen, but the conversation about their legacies will undoubtedly continue for years to come.