Paulo Filho on Jon Jones: Sooner Or Later, He Will Go Back To Cocaine
At one point, a few years ago, Brazilian middleweight Paulo Filho seemed to have a very bright future in mixed martial arts (MMA). He reached the height of his career in 2007, securing the WEC middleweight championship and also earning a submission win over former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen as an undefeated 16-0 prospect.
However, soon after his monumental win over “The American Gangster”, Filho’s career began to go on a downward spiral as he encountered an unfortunate battle with substance abuse. Speaking with Tatame, “Ely” recalled his first time using cocaine, and mentioned that the depression caused by using the drug is what really led him downhill:
“The medications didn’t hinder me at all, honestly. The depression caused by me doing cocaine did. I had just defeated Chael Sonnen in San Diego and went to Mexico to celebrate. I got really drunk and started to feel sick. Some Mexican guy offered me the drug and I used it and felt like I was brand new. It lifts you up to the clouds, but once it’s gone, it leaves you deeply depressed.”
Filho’s career was never the same as he is now 1-4-2 in his last seven bouts and he also hasn’t competed since February 2014. Like Filho, former UFC light heavyweight champion and former pound-for-pound king Jon “Bones” Jones has had his run ins with cocaine that seemed to have sparked a similar downward spiral for the now ex-champ.
After the biggest fight of his life against Daniel Cormier last January, a fight he dominantly won, “Bones” tested positive for cocaine metabolites, was fined ,000, and forced to do an almost comical one night stint in rehab. The troubles were only beginning however, as Jones was arrested in April on felony hit-and-run charges after allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident. Drugs were found in his car and the UFC then suspended him indefinitely, while also stripping him of his title.
Speaking on Jones, “Ely” feels as if the two are similar in the fact that they are weak to substances. Filho also said that once addicted, one can’t live without the substance, and he sees Jones returning to the use of cocaine:
“”Jon Jones has the same disease I have. We are genetically weak to ingest any substance. You do it once and then you can’t live without it. Sooner or later, he will go back to it.”
Will Jones turn his life around and return to the 205-pound division he’s ruled for so long?
