(MOOOOOOOONDAYYYYYYYYYS!!!!!!!)
Update: The Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission has given Rony Jason a 30-day suspension for unsporstmanlike conduct due to the backstage incident, which will go into effect after his 180-day medical suspension is completed.
Perhaps one of the lesser talked about moments from last weekend’s finish-heavy-star-scarce Fight Night 32 event was that of the main card-opening bout between Jeremy Stephens and Rony Jason. In his second fight at featherweight, “Lil Heathen” managed to finish the TUF: Brazil winner the only way he knows how: via uber-violent knockout.
The finish came just 40 seconds into the first round, ending a three fight UFC win streak for Jason and making for his first loss since 2009. While the knockout loss would have probably earned Jason a two-ish month suspension, the injury he suffered in the locker room after the fight will likely keep him sidelined for quite a while longer.
MMAFighting is reporting that apparently Jason didn’t take his loss to Stephens with the grace and poise we have come to expect from Brazilians. No, he instead chose to punch himself in the face (twice) and elbow a wall backstage, slicing himself to pieces in the process and requiring 22 stitches to fix by the time all was said and done. Said Jason through the lens of hindsight:
I hurt my elbow, but I’m okay. I was crying, angry with my loss, and I landed my elbow on the door. It’s hurt, but didn’t break any bones. I was just devastated at that moment.
I’ve trained for a long time for this fight. I was undefeated for four years. Unfortunately, this is an individual sport and I have to deal with it.
I needed 15 stitches in my elbow and seven over my eye. I punched my head twice after the fight, I was so angry. But that’s nothing compared to my loss. I’m devastated.
Locker room walls. They’re this year’s haunted saunas.
If Jackass has taught me anything, it’s that stupidity + bodily harm = fans, so expect Jason to tweet a photo of the damage any minute now. While we can sympathize with Jason’s frustration following such a tough loss, there’s also a reason they make Japanese moe body pillows. For sex. But they also work for rage-punching.
In any case, here’s what Dana White had to say about the incident, because apparently we MMA Media types need The Baldfather’s opinion on every last MMA-related issue, no matter how trivial. His opinions are the lifeblood the makes us whole. All Hail Zorp.
Listen, this stuff happens. Especially young guys. A big loss like that. A devastating loss like that, you do stupid stuff sometimes. I don’t think he expected to slice his arm open and get hurt, but it happens.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m just glad daddy Dana was around to inform us that “stuff” “happens.” I’ll sleep better tonight.
