Troubled UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones may have disappointed MMA fans yet again if recent reports are true. MMAWeekly reports that the Jones fight against top contender Anthony Johnson will not be happening at UFC 187. There is no official word as to why the match was canceled.
Meanwhile, theories and unconfirmed rumors are started to make their way around the internet. Fight fans recall that in January, Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine prior to his UFC 182 fight against Daniel Cormier. Jon was fined $25,000 for his violation of the UFC Athlete Code of Conduct. Now, some fans are wondering if the Jon Jones fight was canceled to spare the organization a similar embarrassment.
Strong Rumour – Jon Jones OUT OF UFC 187, involved in Hit & Run – http://t.co/suq4Lw5Qmp #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/Qu8OCwi3L7
— Vendetta Fighter (@VendettaFighter) April 27, 2015
It would make sense given the outrage over fan favorite Anderson Silva ‘s multiple failed drug tests.
Failed drug tests aside, the more dominant rumor progressing across social media is that Jon Jones will not be fighting Anthony Johnson because he’s currently in police custody. Allegedly, Jones was involved in a hit-and-run accident. Although there are multiple reports of this rumor, there are no confirmations at this time.
TMZ Sports contacted the Albuquerque Police Department in an effort to substantiate the shocking allegation. Bizarrely, and perhaps worryingly, the department stated that they cannot confirm whether or not Jon was involved in a hit-and-run. It’s possible the department simply can’t do so because they are still trying to determine what accident concerned citizens are talking about. However, a lack of confirmation by authorities may be taken by some to be a form of confirmation in and of itself.
We CANNOT confirm that Jon Jones was involved in a H&R traffic accident from this morning. The investigation is ongoing.
— Albuquerque Police (@ABQPOLICE) April 26, 2015
Hopefully, if these rumors are untrue, immediate confirmation will come by way of Jon Jones himself. The longer that UFC fans are left without an actual explanation from Jones or UFC boss Dana White, the faster the rumors spread and the more difficult it may be to find the truth. For now, it’s best for fans of the organization to back off of any unconfirmed reports and avoid jumping to conclusions.
Report: Jon Jones status for UFC 187 title fight in jeopardy http://t.co/DoE0tGesgf pic.twitter.com/p3rMPylPyS
— FanBuzz (@FanBuzz) April 27, 2015
The only certainty at the moment seems to be that Jones is out of UFC 187, which is a great disappointment to those who were looking forward to his fight against Johnson. It’s now a question of who is best suited to take Jon’s place in the upcoming pay-per-view event.
How do you feel about the news that Jon Jones is likely out of UFC 187? Who would you like to replace him against Anthony Johnson if reports are true?
[Image Credit: Steve Marcus/Getty Images]
