I don't believe a champion is the biggest, baddest, meanest dude

Hear the voice of Jon Jones, who, though a warrior of the cage, spoke with the wisdom of ages: “I don’t believe a champion is the biggest, baddest, meanest dude in the world. I think the champion is like a warrior; it’s like the head knight or lead samurai: humble men of integrity, respect, and honor that treat people kindly.” This saying cuts deeper than the sharpest blade, for it speaks not of muscle or might, but of the true essence of greatness. Many confuse victory with domination, yet Jones calls us back to the ancient truth—that the highest strength is clothed in humility, and the greatest conqueror is master first of himself.

The champion is not defined by sheer force, nor by the terror he inspires. For brute strength fades, and fear breeds only rebellion. The champion, as Jones declares, is akin to the warrior, the knight, the samurai—those archetypes who bore not only weapons, but codes of honor. To be the head knight was not to strike the hardest, but to uphold the law of chivalry. To be the lead samurai was not to boast, but to serve with unshakable loyalty. Thus, the champion is not the loudest roarer, but the one whose heart shines brightest with integrity, respect, and honor.

History itself testifies to this truth. Consider Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome and master of its legions. He commanded vast armies and wielded power over nations. Yet he walked humbly, writing in his Meditations that a ruler must be just, kind, and disciplined, never corrupted by arrogance. He was not remembered as the “meanest” man, though he could summon armies with a word. Instead, he is revered as a philosopher-king, a man who embodied the very ideal of what Jon Jones describes: a champion who treats people kindly.

And think of the samurai Miyamoto Musashi, whose swordsmanship was legendary. Though feared in battle, he taught that the true path of the warrior was not in endless duels, but in cultivating the spirit. He wandered in simplicity, carrying his wisdom in words as sharp as his blade. His life reflected the truth Jones proclaims: that the warrior’s greatness is measured not in cruelty, but in discipline, respect, and humility. For cruelty is easy; restraint is the mark of mastery.

The wisdom of this quote is also a rebuke to the false idols of our age. Many glorify those who shout the loudest, strut the proudest, and seek domination over others. Yet Jones reminds us that such men are but shadows of champions. The true champion is one who treats people kindly, who remembers that victory is hollow if one loses honor in the process. It is not enough to win battles; one must also win the respect of others through fairness and humility.

The lesson is clear: measure greatness not by fear, but by respect; not by domination, but by kindness. Let your strength be tempered with humility, your victories crowned with mercy. Whether you are a leader, a fighter, or simply one who walks among men, remember that your true honor lies in how you treat others. The greatest warriors of history left legacies not only of conquest, but of wisdom, teaching, and compassion.

And so, let your actions follow this path. Stand firm in your battles, but do not become consumed by pride. Show respect to friend and foe alike. Be a champion in the truest sense: one who inspires by example, uplifts those around him, and carries himself with integrity no matter the trial. In this way, you too may become as the knight, as the samurai, as the warrior whose strength lies not in cruelty, but in character.

Thus remember always the wisdom of Jon Jones: the champion is not the meanest, but the most honorable; not the loudest, but the most steadfast. Walk as such a champion, and your name will endure not for the battles you won, but for the light you brought into the lives of others.