(via Getty.)
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. FORMER UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
It’s a phrase I did not expect to type in my tenure at CP, but here we are. Just two days after the troubled champion was involved in a hit-and-run accident that resulted in the injury of a pregnant woman, Jones has been stripped of his title and suspended indefinitely by the UFC. Ho. Lee. Shit.
The UFC’s official statement on Jones (via their website) is below.
UFC announced that it has suspended Jon Jones indefinitely and stripped him of the light heavyweight title as a result of violations of the organization’s Athlete Code of Conduct Policy. Jones was recently arrested in Albuquerque, N.M. on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury. As a result of the charge and other violations of the Athlete Code of Conduct Policy, the organization believes it is best to allow Jones time to focus on his pending legal matters.
UFC feels strongly that its athletes must uphold certain standards both in and out of the Octagon. While there is disappointment in the recent charges, the organization remains supportive of Jones as he works through the legal process.
That’s right, MATTY HUGHES JUST DUN DROPPED THE HAMMAH!
Seriously though, this is almost unprecedented for a champion of Jones’ level. The news comes following Jones’ first court appearance yesterday, in which he did not enter a plea. Although the Bernadillo County District Attorney’s office has not indicted him yet, the Bernalillo County (NM) Metropolitan Court judge required Jones to meet the ‘standard conditions for release’:
•No alcohol
•No drugs
•No entering a liquor store, and
•The fighter has to stay in contact with his attorney.
The DA now has 60 days to indict Jones, who currently remains free on bail.
Taking Jones’ place at UFC 187 will be none other than the last man he defeated, Daniel Cormier, who will now face Anthony Johnson for the vacant light heavyweight championship in the evening’s main event.
In slightly less surprising news, Reebok announced earlier today that they have terminated their relationship with Jones. If you recall, Jones was previously endorsed by Nike until they severed their ties with the former light heavyweight champion following his UFC 182 press conference brawl with Cormier. This make Jones the first athlete ever to lose 2 different shoe and apparel deals in the course of less than a year.
What a truly unbelievable turn of events for perhaps the greatest athlete to ever step foot in the octagon. Jones has remained quiet for the most part thus far, simply tweeting the following last night.
The post Jon Jones Stripped of Title & Suspended Indefinitely, Johnson vs. Cormier Title Fight Now Headlines UFC 187 appeared first on Cagepotato.