How Bones manages his superstardom

8/22/2012 (Updated 8/24/2012 1:56:57 PM)

They're few fighters in MMA history that have risen to the level of superstardom that Endicott native Jon "Bones" Jones currently stands.

Brock Lesner, Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell are few that come to mind, but none of them, nor any other UFC fighter for that matter, have ever signed with Nike. With bones treading waters never before by anyone in the sport, it's important for the champ to be able to cope with his success.

"The way you've seen champions go down is when they start listening to too many people. They start believing they're the greatest ... (and) they start doing way too much, says Jones.

One thing I can say is that - I have the same woman. I have the same coaches. I have the same nutritionist, same teammates, and my relationship with all my friends, family and teammates have gotten closer. I think a lot of times when fighters grow they start leaving people behind, and I have done that."

Jones will defend his light heavyweight title September 1st at UFC 151 in Las Vegas against Dan Henderson.