Jon Jones
Retired fighter and UFC commentator Kenny Florian stopped short of recommending the promotion show Jon Jones the door in the wake of his latest legal troubles but said the promotion should show the fighter there are consequences for his actions.
I think stripping him of the title is appropriate if of course these allegations are true said Florian who appeared today on FOX Sports 1 s America s Pregame when asked whether Jones should be cut from the UFC.
Jones 27 is scheduled to turn himself in to Albuquerque (N.M.) police one day after he allegedly hit a pregnant woman s car in a rented SUV and fled the scene before turning back once to grab a handful of cash. Police later recovered a marijuana pipe and marijuana in the vehicle.
The woman whose car struck a third vehicle after being hit by the vehicle Jones allegedly was driving was initially taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons but was found to have suffered a broken arm in the accident. Police then issued a felony arrest warrant for Jones who earlier this year moved full time to Albuquerque to live and prepare for fights. If convicted Jones faces up to three years in jail.
Florian said the UFC is trying to contact Jones and added he does not want to be found apparently at this moment. The retired fighter alluded to Jones previous troubles with a drug when giving his opinion on what the UFC should do about his case.
If this is true there s some kind of problem going on Florian said. He needs help and it needs to be legitimate help he s not getting away for 24 hours.
Jones (21 1 MMA 15 1 UFC) the top ranked fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA pound for pound rankings was fined $25 000 by the UFC for violating its code of conduct when he tested positive for cocaine following an out of competition drug test in connection with his UFC 182 title defense against Daniel Cormier. The Nevada State Athletic Commission took no administrative action because cocaine is not banned out of competition by the World Anti Doping Code which the commission largely follows.
Jones attended a rehab facility but was released after one day because according to UFC President Dana White he was not believed to be a serious drug addict. Florian however said the UFC needs to send a stronger message in the actions it takes to address Jones case.
You screw up there s repercussions he said. You screw up there s repercussions and a possible fine.
Florian said Jones shouldn t be allowed to fight Anthony Johnson (19 4 MMA 10 4 UFC) next month at UFC 187 and ventured that the UFC is looking for a replacement. (The promotion has yet to officially comment on Jones case.)
I don t think he should be allowed to fight Anthony Johnson Florian said. He needs to go and get help. I think that the UFC is probably most likely to find a replacement for Jon Jones at this point and I think that s probably what s going to happen if these allegations are true.
Putting Jones latest run in with the law into context Florian said the champ still has a lot of growing up to do.
He has so much talent but there s a lot of immaturity with that talent Florian said.
For more on UFC 187 check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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