Jon Jones has yet to meet someone who could defeat him in the cage. In the outside world, he doesn’t need another person to help him with the task.
In the latest controversial tongue slip for the UFC light heavyweight champ and No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound MMA fighter on Earth, Jones said in a video posted Friday evening by TMZ that he did not believe comedian Bill Cosby was capable of rape essentially because Cosby is “a class act.”
A litany of sexual assault allegations from a variety of women have recently surfaced against the now-77-year-old celebrity. Cosby has consistently denied committing the crimes, some of which allegedly date back to the 1960s. None of the allegations has ever been brought to trial, and it appears a trial is unlikely to happen given the expired statutes of limitations and lack of physical evidence associated with the existing allegations.
Strong feelings abound on both sides of the Cosby discourse, so it stands to reason that an opportunity to answer questions about the situation—and on camera, no less—may not look like a public relations gold mine to some celebrities. Not Jon Jones. When a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport recently asked Jones about the situation, the champ dove right in.
“No, not the Jell-O Pudding!” Jones initially joked, referencing Cosby’s previous status as a pitchman for Jell-O.
Then he became more serious in his responses.
“I don’t think Bill Cosby would do that,” Jones said. “I’ve never met him, but from what I’ve seen, he seems to be a class act…I really hope that’s not true.”
Jones then returned to a more whimsical frame of mind, suggesting he didn’t think some of Cosby’s ilk would need to resort to sexual assault.
“He’s Bill Cosby. He shouldn’t have to take it. He should be,” Jones said, before trailing off and making a series of suggestive hand gestures.
Oh, for F’s sake. RT @TMZ: Jon Jones — I Believe Bill Cosby … He’s Too Classy To Be a Rapist http://t.co/aMwmus0czE
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) November 22, 2014
It’s not the first time Jones has raised eyebrows outside of the MMA cage.
About two months ago, Jones revealed that he had lost a landmark Nike sponsorship deal after brawling with challenger Daniel Cormier at a media event and later engaging Cormier in some heated verbal exchanges.
Earlier this spring, a series of homophobic comments issued forth from Jones’ Instagram account. Jones’ team later said his account had been hacked.
Back in 2012, after Dan Henderson fell injured and was forced to withdraw from his UFC 151 main event bout with Jones, Jones refused to take a replacement fight with Chael Sonnen. The event was ultimately canceled. Jones drew criticism for making a series of tweets during the incident that some interpreted as arrogance or shifting the blame.
Also in 2012, a New York state court suspended Jones’ driver’s license and ordered him to pay a fine after Jones pled guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated.
The 27-year-old Jones (20-1) is scheduled to defend his title again in January when he faces Cormier at UFC 182.
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