Jon Jones takes aim at Dan Hooker: You can't achieve greatness, so you attack someone that has

It took a few days, but Jon Jones has responded to Dan Hooker with a signature tweet-and-delete barrage.

Hooker took to Twitter earlier this week and took a swipe at Jones after reports emerged of Chael Sonnen being involved in an altercation in Las Vegas that prompted police involvement.

Sonnen reportedly was issued five battery citations following the incident, and Hooker took a shot at Jones when details emerged that “The American Gangster” was actually defending his wife in the melee.

Imagine beating up 5 people and not one of them is your wife. (JJones RN ) https://t.co/Jzw6oVC640

— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) December 22, 2021

Imagine beating up 5 people and not one of them is your wife. (JJones RN )

Jones was arrested in Las Vegas in September after an alleged domestic battery of his fiancee, Jessie Moses, though the charges were later dropped.

Jones took exception to the mention and accused Hooker of taking a cheap shot in part because he’s jealous of the longtime UFC light heavyweight champion’s success.

@danthehangman Bro your career is simply not panning out, that’s my response. Lol

@danthehangman, every opportunity you’ve had to make a name for yourself and be closer to your boy Izzy, you dropped the ball. You can’t achieve greatness, so you hop online and attack someone who has. Sounds about right

The unlikely new rivalry isn’t likely to involve sanctioned fisticuffs anytime soon, with Hooker pondering a drop to featherweight and Jones intent on claiming the UFC heavyweight title in 2022.

Hooker (21-11 MMA, 11-7 UFC) last saw action in October, suffering a disappointing first-round submission loss to Islam Makhachev. Still, he sits at No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings.

Meanwhile, Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) hasn’t competed since a February 2020 win over Dominick Reyes. “Bones” has made it clear his next fight will be at heavyweight, and he’s hoping it will be for the title, though UFC officials have yet to guarantee that booking. Jones remains at No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings, as well as No. 1 on the pound-for-pound list.