Fast-moving, long-leaping and plenty of stopping power.
Sound like anyone you know? According to the tagline, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones was born to wear a pair of Zips, but he probably wouldn't be caught dead at Stride Rite -- even if it is located next to the Cinnabon at your local mall.
No matter.
"Bones" is dreaming of a Nike sponsorship, according to comments he made at last week's conference call to help promote his UFC 145 title defense against Rashad Evans on April 21, 2012 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here's the good news.
His agent, Malki Kawa, told The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo he's already "talking to three of the four major shoe companies," and confirmed that "one of them is the one with the big check mark."
Those comments after the jump.
"I was approached by very major sponsor in MMA and all the minor ones. We looked at all the deals, but there’s there other opportunities outside MMA. If I had entered into a deal with any of these companies I would have derailed the goal of getting Jon Jones sponsored by one of the major shoe companies. I’m talking to three of the four major shoe companies right now. One of them is the one with the big check mark, but Adidas is the second biggest company. I’m talking to them all."
The Jones camp obviously has its sights set on bigger and better things, which could explain why they balked at mixed martial arts (MMA) tee shirt and apparel companies looking to fill the void left by FORM Athletics, who went up in smoke earlier this year.
Your services are no longer required.
That's because "Bones" is now sponsored by the UFC, the very company that employs him. And those Zuffa dollars should keep his pockets lined until he locks up that major shoe deal his agent is working on somewhere down the road.
See what the champ's current clothing line looks like right here.