Jon Jones Stripped Of UFC Title, Suspended Indefinitely Following Arrest
Jon Jones has been stripped of his UFC light heavyweight title and has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest for a hit-and-run accident that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm.
UFC president Dana White made the announcement of Jones’ penalties on Tuesday, April 28. He said they made their decision based on Jon’s violation of its athlete code of conduct policy with his latest arrest.
“UFC feels strongly that its athletes must uphold certain standards both in and out of the Octagon,” the UFC said in a statement. “While there is disappointment in the recent charges, the organization remains supportive of Jones as he works through the legal process.”
White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta reportedly met with Jones in Albuquerque, New Mexico before making their final decision.
“What we wanted to find out is what the facts were,” White said. “We wanted to hear Jon’s side of the story and we wanted to hear what his lawyer had to say about it.”
“He’s very disappointed. He’s upset,” White told Fox Sports. “He wanted to go down as one of the greats, or the greatest ever. He’s disappointed, but it is what it is. It was the decision we had to make.”
Jones has long been considered the world’s best pound-for-pound mixed martial arts fighter and was scheduled to take on the number one contender Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23.
Now, with Jones’ suspension, No. 3 contender Daniel Cormier will be facing Johnson instead. Cormier was originally set to face Ryan Bader at UFC Fight Night 68 on June 6, according to Yahoo Sports.
“For us to have to go in and strip him of his title and suspend (Jones), you know, it’s not fun,” White said. “But the show goes on. Anthony Johnson is ready for this fight, and Daniel Cormier was beyond pumped to get this opportunity.”
“Got a lot of soul searching to do. Sorry to everyone I’ve let down,” Jones tweeted, following White’s announcement.
Got a lot of soul searching to do. Sorry to everyone I’ve let down.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 29, 2015
As for when, or if, Jones will return to the octagon, White says he honestly doesn’t know.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “We have suspended him indefinitely. Obviously, he needs to focus on his legal matters right now. I don’t know, we’ll see what happens.”
Jones had his first court appearance earlier on Tuesday. He faces felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injuries. Jones was released from jail on Monday after posting his $2,500 bond. Rumors are circulating that drugs were involved in the accident. However, that has yet to be confirmed.
Do you think Jon Jones received the appropriate penalties from the UFC? Leave your comments below.
[Photo by Aaron Sweet/Getty Images]
