Warrant out for Jon Jones’ Arrest
Jon Jones photo by Esther Lin
The main event of UFC 187 is in jeopardy.
It is currently alleged that over the weekend, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones ran a red light and caused a three-car accident injuring a pregnant woman. Jones allegedly fled the scene, came back for a large amount of cash he left in the car, but still left a pipe full of reefer, along with the paperwork showing that he had rented the car.
He was also positively identified by a UFC-loving police officer who said “I watch UFC all the time. I know what Jon Jones looks like.” Don’t we all, Officer Sullivan.
The warrant is here in case you want to scope it out.
Jones has not been heard from since. Now, we want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but shit is looking pretty bad for Jon Jones right now. It almost seems as though the 24-hour period that he spent in rehab didn’t do the trick. (Editor’s note: MMA Fighting reports Jones turned himself in to authorities on Monday night and was released a couple hours later on $2500 bail. –GN)
I’m not sure that substance abuse is Jones’ issue so much as terrible judgment. He just got caught doing cocaine in January. Now it’s April and he’s driving around in a rental car with a bunch of cash ripping a bowl and driving through a red light into a pregnant lady one month before he was supposed to headline an amazing card on UFC 187.
Jones is a young man with tons fame and money, and there haven’t been any consequences from the UFC for his recent issues, so it isn’t surprising that he hasn’t toned down his behavior. While I want to see his next fight as much as everyone else does, perhaps it would be a good idea if the UFC actually punishes him this time, assuming the allegations are proven true. If he was anyone else he’d be punished severely.
Now I don’t want them to blow up one of the greatest cards in recent memory over this, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission has a long history of overlooking fighters who have broken the law, but Jones is charged with a felony here. As cynical as I am about the UFC and the NSAC, if the charges against Jones appear to be true, I’d be surprised if they actually let this fight go on. If I were Daniel Cormier, I’d be hitting up Jenny Craig right around now. Another option might be to let Gustaffson have his rematch, but I don’t know who wants to see him fight Rumble after he got steamrolled so recently.
I’m hoping that Jones will realize that if he can just stop doing stupid shit for another five years, he could be remembered as the greatest MMA fighter of all time and retire a rich man. Jones already might be the greatest of all time, especially now that Anderson Silva’s legacy is tarnished. But instead of continuing to clean out his division, he’s busy fleeing crime scenes. It’s a shame for Jon Jones, but it’s also a shame for the sport.