One of the biggest criticisms that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones receives is criticism for how often he pokes his opponents in the eyes. It seems to be happening on a more frequent basis now, and when Jon Jones fought Glover Teixeira it almost seemed intentional. Today Jon Jones was asked about the eye poke thing and he admitted that he realizes it’s something that he does, but that he’s not doing it on purpose. [source]
“I realize that I do it,” Jones said. “I realize the criticism that I got from it. It’s not on purpose. If you watch my fights, a lot of the times when guys get poked in the eyes, it’s me extending my arm in a reactionary way. I do put hand on people’s foreheads to maintain distance. That’s what you saw in the Teixeira fight, but to say I am purposely poking people in the eye it’s just inaccurate. You can call it what you want.”