Following a loss on the Contender Series, and having dropped his LFA lightweight title, JaCobi Jones finds himself on the rebound, having earned his second straight victory at Friday’s LFA 211 in Salamanca, New York.
The back-to-back setbacks he suffered, first on DWCS then in a title fight with Kegan Gennrich roughly a year and a half ago, are something Jones has found a silver lining in.
“They definitely put me in the position that I needed to be in. When I took those losses, I felt like I was on top of the world and I was definitely doing things I shouldn’t have,” Jones (8-3) admitted on Friday, speaking to Cageside Press following a win over Shovkhal Churchaev. “And I feel like they came at the right time. I made a big move in my life, moving down to Phoenix with coach Crouch and the Lab and all those guys. They definitely put me back together.”
That would be The MMA Lab, and coach John Crouch, which has become one of the standout destinations in the sport. Now, Jones is feeling ready for another shot at the big show. “Like you said we’re on a two-fight win streak. We’re just waiting on the call, you know. Anything, any time, anywhere.”
The upcoming season of Dana White’s Contender Series could be one potential landing spot. A couple of former foes of Jones are rumored to be on the show. Despite holding wins over them, Jones isn’t upset over the situation.
“It’s not annoying at all. Those guys worked their asses off to get to those positions. I know what I did in my position on the Contender Series and what went wrong in that period of my life,” said Jones. “But no I’m not jealous at all. God’s plan, I’m ready for whatever. If they give me the opportunity to go back and get that again, I’ll be ready this time. Or whatever happens. Short-notice fights. I’m ready, I know where I’m at on the regional scene, but I’m tired of getting paid $1000 to do that to people. So Dana, give me a call.”
Jones could really use that call from Dana White. As he pointed out, “they spent more on surgery and putting stitches in these guys than putting in my pocket. I’m ready, let’s go.”
Watch our full LFA 211 post-fight interview with JaCobi Jones above.
