Jon Jones is a polarising colossus of the combat world. Those who despise him do so with as much unwieldily conviction as those who adore him. You would be hard pressed to find a neutral fight fan on the topic ‘Bones’ Jones.

Self belief and ‘arrogance’ are part and parcel of achieving elite level status. We as a society are attracted to this brazenness, the boastful beasts which adorn the hip hop scene emphasise this phenomenon. Spitting verses about their financial and sexual triumphs, daring enemies to attempt to reach their level. Yet off the mic rappers are asked to be humble, at least to some degree.

Humility is an arbitrary and ambiguous standard. It seems to include so many influencing factors yet when it boils down to it, none at all. As if each person is given a rating out of 100, but the benchmark for each individual is different. It is a line so fine you can barely teeter along it.

But why do we care about the humility of well known members of society that we personally don’t know at all. Who am I to condemn a man, such as Jones, for ‘wrongly’ handling the talents and abilities that I could only dream of possessing. Athletes spend the majority of their lives striving, sweating, bleeding and sacrificing so that they can reach the levels needed to entertain us. Yet we cut them down for not being ‘humble’.

Sure we outlay our hard-earned cash for this entertainment, but this sacrifice pales in comparison. In the end isn’t self confidence the ultimate variable of success? If Jon Jones didn’t have so much conviction in his abilities, would he be the ultra entertaining and dominant champion he is? No.

Self confidence is not only the most important aspect of success. It is a prerequisite for a champion.

Robinson. Ali. Tyson. Silva. Jones. Self-confidence? Yes. Arrogance? Maybe. Greatness? Definitely.