Chris Weidman Says Jon Jones Will Come Back Stronger
It’s been a manic few weeks in the life of former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones, as he was stripped of his title following a hit-and-run in New Mexico. “Bones” went missing for 24 hours before handing himself in, making a $2,500 bail set by the courts.
With his future uncertain, Jones’ situation has been discussed almost non stop since it started out, with many calling for his title to be taken from him before it eventually did happen. UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman was a little more sympathetic with JJ, as he told Sky Sports that it could happen to anyone:
“I don’t judge Jon at all for struggling with life’s temptations, I have tasted it myself. I’ve been a world champion for two years and we’ve got things at our fingertips that celebrities don’t even have. Everybody wants to be around the toughest guy in the world. Everybody wants to be friends with the champion of the world so it’s a tough situation to be in.”
After winning the title at such a young age, and dominating the division in the time since, Jones’ success in the UFC has really been unparalleled. It almost seems expected for some cracks to show with the pressure of being champion, but few expected this recent debacle. “The All-American” is optimistic though:
“Jon is going down the wrong path at the moment but I could easily have gone down that wrong path too. We’re all vulnerable, and capable of doing bad things. He needs to overcome his problems and become a more powerful person. This break will allow him to do that. The UFC made the right decision to suspend him but it’s the best thing for Jon, too.”
“This will give him an opportunity. He can come back stronger because people will see a guy who has messed up but rebounded, and they will relate to that.”
Jon Jones certainly has a lot of growing up and soul searching to do, but is there too much water under the bridge for the fallen champ to rebound? It’s one thing for “Bones” to find himself and mature from the experience, but will the promotion ever consider letting him back on board?
Aside from that, we are yet to know whether JJ will get a jail sentence or not, as he faces felony hit-and-run charges. Do you agree with Chris Weidman, or do you think Jones has punched his ticket out of the big leagues this time?
