Demetrious Johnson doesn't care about GOAT status, has GOAT response to Jon Jones situation

LAS VEGAS – With Jon Jones facing up to a four-year suspension after a potential doping violation stemming from a failed UFC 214 drug test, flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson could lose his main competitor for the pound-for-pound throne.

But if there’s someone who does not seem even remotely interested in this conversation, it’s the 125-pound kingpin himself.

Johnson, who’s set to defend his title against Ray Borg (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in next month’s UFC 215 headliner, was quite categorical when asked what the latest developments in the Jones (23-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) saga meant for his own GOAT status.

In short? Johnson has been there, done that – and doesn’t really care.

“There was one time when Jon Jones was inactive for, I think it was a long time, and I was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” Johnson told MMAjunkie. “And then he got reinstated as active, and he was (up) just like that.

“Do you think my breakfast tasted any different? Do you think me wiping my ass that day changed any different? It did not.”

Jones became the focal point of attention of a busy week for combat sports on Tuesday, when news broke that he had tested positive for the steroid turabinol in an in-competition test prior to his UFC 214 title win over Daniel Cormier.

People in Jones’ circle, however, have already leaped to the champion’s defense, denying wrongdoing on his end. And Jones, who is still in possession of his belt, is entitled to due process. But considering he’d already served a one-year suspension for a previous offense, he could be looking at a four-year hook if proven guilty.

Jones, who’s become known for his outside-the-cage issues, has counted on little sympathy from the MMA community since his most recent contravention became public. But Johnson, who in turn received some added praise due to his squeaky clean past, is not about to join in on the trash-talking train.

“This whole downfall of what’s going on with him – which, I don’t wish it upon anybody,” Johnson said. “Do you think I’m excited that I’m back at No. 1? That I’m clicking my heels together? Absolutely not. The fans are going to perceive and change their mind on certain different things and try to discredit you whenever they get the chance.

“So, for me, I don’t even worry about that anymore. I just worry about staying healthy, going out and fighting, and that’s it.”

Check out the video above to hear more from “Mighty Mouse.”

And for more on UFC 214 and UFC 215, check out the UFC Events and  UFC Rumors sections of the site.