Jon "Bones" Jones is now the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and he's defeated himself. Jones, who was scheduled to defend the belt at UFC 187 on May 23, was stripped of his title and suspended indefinitely after twice fleeing the scene of a three-car accident in New Mexico that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm.
"He's very disappointed. He's upset. He wanted to go down as one of the greats or the greatest," UFC president Dana White said. "He's disappointed, but it is what it is. It is the decision we had to make. For us to go in and have to strip him of his title and suspend him is not fun, but you know what they say: The show must go on."
This incident proved one too many. Not only did Jones flee the scene of an accident, there was marijuana and a pipe found in the rental vehicle he crashed. This comes mere months after he flunked a pre-fight drug test ahead of his title defense in January vs. Daniel Cormier. Jones tested positive for cocaine, but only spent one day in rehab.
In 2012, Jones was arrested for DUI after he wrecked his Bentley by crashing into a utility pole.
The UFC released a statement in addition to White's public comments.
"UFC feels strongly that its athletes must uphold certain standards both in and out of the Octagon. While there is disappointment in the recent changes, the organization remains supportive of Jones as he works through the legal process."
Now Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, Jones' scheduled opponent, will take on Cormier for the full light heavyweight title, not the interim belt. Cormier lost to Jones in January, while Johnson is on a three-fight winning streak in the UFC.
Jones sent out a brief tweet on Tuesday, his first since news broke of the accident.
Got a lot of soul searching to do. Sorry to everyone I've let down.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 29, 2015
[ESPN]
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