Read The UFC’s Full Statement On Jon Jones Hit-And-Run Saga
It’s safe to say that former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones is probably feeling pretty crappy right about now. The UFC brass flew out to New Mexico to talk with him last night (Tuesday April 28th, 2015), and he was then stripped of the belt he held for so long, and indefinitely suspended.
Guess a night on the pot with friends in a rental car really isn’t worth it after all. Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson will now instead fight at UFC 187 for the vacant belt, as “Bones” takes some time to ‘soul search”. With not much said by the UFC in the time since the incident, they released a full statement on their official site today:
“”UFC announced that it has suspended Jon Jones indefinitely and stripped him of the light heavyweight title as a result of violations of the organization’s Athlete Code of Conduct Policy. Jones was recently arrested in Albuquerque, N.M. on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury. As a result of the charge and other violations of the Athlete Code of Conduct Policy, the organization believes it is best to allow Jones time to focus on his pending legal matters.
UFC feels strongly that its athletes must uphold certain standards both in and out of the Octagon. While there is disappointment in the recent charges, the organization remains supportive of Jones as he works through the legal process.
With this decision, UFC has determined that No. 1 contender Anthony Johnson will now fight No. 3 contender Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 187 on May 23 in Las Vegas.”
In other words, push a referee or take drugs and fail a drug test and you’re sacked unless you’re worth your weight in gold.
The extent of the damage caused to Jones’ legacy is yet to be seen, and his ‘image’ has been in tatters for a while now anyway. Damage limitation is what the promotion has used once again, although fans of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight would do well to remember that “Money” has served time for assault and has kept his high standing throughout.
Many questions remain unanswered, and likely will for a while now. Will Jones ever be champion again, will he get an immediate title shot, will he simply fall off and end up an overweight waste of talent? Stay tuned to LowKickMMA for more updates as they come in.
