Morning Report: Rashad Evans and Kenny Florian discuss penalties for Jon Jones, including stripping his UFC title

This time, something needs to be done about UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

That, being the general sentiment shared between UFC commentator Kenny Florian and former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.

Jones allegedly ran a red light April 26, striking a car driven by a pregnant woman who suffered a broken arm. Jones is accused of fleeing the scene on foot. There was a marijuana pipe and marijuana found in the rental car Jones allegedly left behind.

A felony arrest warrant was issued Monday afternoon and Jones turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department Monday night. He was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injuries, but was later released on bail set at $2,500.

“I think cutting him from the UFC might be a little harsh,” Florian said Monday on FOX Sports 1’s America’s Pregame. “I have a little bit of compassion. It seems like, if this is true, there’s some kind of problem going on. He needs help and it needs to be legitimate help. It’s not getting away for 24 hours. He needs to go out and get help.

“I think stripping [Jones] of the title is appropriate. Of course, if these allegations are true. I think cutting him may be a little harsh, but I would be for stripping him of the title and getting him to realize that there’s repercussions.”

Jones is due to defend his title to No. 1 contender Anthony Johnson May 23 at UFC 187, but Florian says he’d rather see the champion enter treatment, again.

“If this is true, I don’t think he should be allowed to fight Anthony Johnson. He needs to go and get help. I think the UFC is probably, most likely looking to find a replacement for Jon Jones at this point. I think that’s probably what’s going to happen if these allegations are true.”

Joining Florian Monday evening to co-host UFC Tonight, Evans echoed much of the same.

“First things first, you’ve got to hold Jones accountable,” said Evans. “Jones needs to be accountable for this whole thing. He’s a guy who’s won eight title defenses, going on his ninth. What you do inside the cage doesn’t necessarily translate to what you do outside the cage. His conduct outside the cage has been less than championship behavior.

“When you’re doing stuff like running red lights, hitting people in a car and then running, fleeing on foot? You’ve got to be held accountable for that. I just wish he had someone to talk to him and reel him back in and say, ‘Hey, buddy. You’re blowing it.'”

Evans was a confidant and training partner to Jones during his rise to a title run, but left Greg Jackson’s camp in 2011 when it was clear Albuquerque wasn’t big enough for both of them.

“There’s definitely something wrong here,” said Evans. “Something’s going on in his mind. You’re four weeks out from the fight. The only thing that you should be worried about is training and getting ready for this fight. When you’re going out trying to have a little party, it’s not good. Something else is going on. Something is wrong.

“He does need to take some time away from the sport. Fighting is a privilege. It’s not a right. When you start to forget that you’re privileged by being able to compete, that’s when you need to have a sitdown. That’s when you take a break. That’s when you need to have consequences that equal more than a slap on the wrist.”

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5 MUST-READ STORIES

The latest. Jon Jones has been released on bail after turning himself in to Albuquerque police.

Rumble. Anthony Johnson says he’s willing to ‘be like Vitor and wait a year’ to fight Jon Jones.

Overwatch. The Nevada Athletic Commission says Jon Jones had passed his drug tests for out of competition testing ahead of UFC 187, but are keeping a close eye on his legal issues.

Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Demetrious Johnson, Quinton Jackson, Michael Bisping, Thomas Almeida and Alexis Davis move forward following UFC 186.

Closed. UFC middleweight Mark Munoz has announced he’s sold his Reign Training Center just weeks before his final fight.

Watcg The MMA Hour with John Dodson, Mark Munoz, Tim Means, John Makdessi, Marina Shafir, Marc Raimondi, Kevin Iole and Steve Hanoian.

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MEDIA STEW

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Comments from the woman involved in the Jones incident and from the champ’s lawyer.

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Free Fight: Anthony Johnson vs. Alexander Gustafsson.

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Even more Rashad.

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Highlights from ONE Championship 26.

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Nate Quarry vs. Jacob “The Snake” Beckmann (via Quarry)

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Busy day for TTTHS.

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Long watches.

UFC 186 – Inside the Guard: In-Depth look at Demetrious Johnson’s Side Control

Submission Radio 26/4/15 Rafael Dos Anjos, Tim Kennedy, Brandon Halsey + UFC 186

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TWEETS

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Focused.

Despite all the rumors you have been hearing, they dont stop me or keep me from being focused.. Staying on my… http://t.co/tjIOe1fZB9

— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) April 27, 2015

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Even more takes.

If it were me i’d come out and say,”if you thought you hated me before…”

Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) April 28, 2015

If Jones out I would like to see @dc_mma vs@Anthony_Rumble in main event @ufc 187 @danawhite @lorenzofertitta pic.twitter.com/XhtjmFKAqG

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) April 27, 2015

Crazy to see all this stuff with #jonjones ! The dude never learns and I know because I lived with him 2 years #UFC187

Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) April 28, 2015

Jon Jones in a car accident? He always seemed very capable of staying inside the white lines. @KLV1063 @JoshCohen1063

Din Thomas (@DinThomas) April 27, 2015

He’s in love with the Coco and he’s running from the popo.

Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) April 27, 2015

If that crash would have had any negative effect on her pregnancy…I’m not 100% sure but he could have been looking at murder

Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) April 27, 2015

Jon Jones have to know when he do dumb shit he makes all of @ufc looks bad. #notarolemodel

— THE BLACK BEAST (@Thebeast_ufc) April 27, 2015

UFC punishes their athletes more for what they say on Facebook and twitter then how they actually act in real life that’s fucked up

— roland delorme (@rolanddelorme1) April 28, 2015

Can’t stop laughing at this video https://t.co/rWMMtedc54

Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 28, 2015

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Taking it easy.

Champ @cainmma and @dc_mma starting off 5 rounds of sparring today. #TeamAKA #UFC pic.twitter.com/Xy9UvdUeSe

— AKA HQ (@AKA_HQ) April 27, 2015

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Commenting on Jones.

Blog about the car accident and @JonnyBones is LIVE http://t.co/R5o4K6Fief #MMA #UFC #UFC187 pic.twitter.com/rq993pXv0Q

Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) April 27, 2015

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Beef.

two months remaining then someone have to wake Andy Ogle and tell him that its Masio Fullens turn to take a nap

Makwan Amirkhani (@MakwanAmirkhani) April 26, 2015

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Get well soon.

Thought I broke my foot #ufc186 Just got X-ray results. No bones broken!!! hopefully it heals fast. #ufc. #ouch. pic.twitter.com/FfcVDH30Uq

Chris Clements (@menaceclements) April 27, 2015

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Nice.

It’s nice at the top.

Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 28, 2015

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I’m trying, Nick.

My last fight pretty much won every round #learnhowtowatchafight https://t.co/sgMqjLOEmF

— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) April 28, 2015

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (April 27 2015)

NA

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FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Jace Barnett.

10 Reasons I Love to Watch and Respect Mighty Mouse

Yes, yes… we all know the reasons you aren’t allowed to like Demetrious Johnson. He’s too small. He’s too short. Your seventh grade daughter outweighs him. He’s “boring.” He has no personality. Etc. etc. As much as I respect all that, and I don’t — here are ten reasons I absolutely love to watch Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson fight.

10. He’s ridiculously fast!

I know big shocker there, but as much as some of you love watching power and bombs, I am in awe of his speed.

9. He’s so smooth.

The way he transitions between various aspects of his game is just pretty. Even the way he capitalizes on his failures is smooth. Ever watch the guy shoot a single or double leg, miss badly, and then take his opponent’s back? He does it all the time! Whereas most of his peers shoot, miss, take a deep breath, reset, and hope for another chance later.

8. He’s incredibly well-rounded.

The only thing the guy doesn’t do well is keep his opponents at bay with a long reach, but considering that he stands five foot three, I’m inclined to give him a pass here. Obviously, I’m in the minority.

Check out the rest of the post here.

Star-divide

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.

This time, something needs to be done about UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

That, being the general sentiment shared between UFC commentator Kenny Florian and former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.

Jones allegedly ran a red light April 26, striking a car driven by a pregnant woman who suffered a broken arm. Jones is accused of fleeing the scene on foot. There was a marijuana pipe and marijuana found in the rental car Jones allegedly left behind.

A felony arrest warrant was issued Monday afternoon and Jones turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department Monday night. He was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injuries, but was later released on bail set at $2,500.

“I think cutting him from the UFC might be a little harsh,” Florian said Monday on FOX Sports 1’s America’s Pregame. “I have a little bit of compassion. It seems like, if this is true, there’s some kind of problem going on. He needs help and it needs to be legitimate help. It’s not getting away for 24 hours. He needs to go out and get help.

“I think stripping [Jones] of the title is appropriate. Of course, if these allegations are true. I think cutting him may be a little harsh, but I would be for stripping him of the title and getting him to realize that there’s repercussions.”

Jones is due to defend his title to No. 1 contender Anthony Johnson May 23 at UFC 187, but Florian says he’d rather see the champion enter treatment, again.

“If this is true, I don’t think he should be allowed to fight Anthony Johnson. He needs to go and get help. I think the UFC is probably, most likely looking to find a replacement for Jon Jones at this point. I think that’s probably what’s going to happen if these allegations are true.”

Joining Florian Monday evening to co-host UFC Tonight, Evans echoed much of the same.

“First things first, you’ve got to hold Jones accountable,” said Evans. “Jones needs to be accountable for this whole thing. He’s a guy who’s won eight title defenses, going on his ninth. What you do inside the cage doesn’t necessarily translate to what you do outside the cage. His conduct outside the cage has been less than championship behavior.

“When you’re doing stuff like running red lights, hitting people in a car and then running, fleeing on foot? You’ve got to be held accountable for that. I just wish he had someone to talk to him and reel him back in and say, ‘Hey, buddy. You’re blowing it.'”

Evans was a confidant and training partner to Jones during his rise to a title run, but left Greg Jackson’s camp in 2011 when it was clear Albuquerque wasn’t big enough for both of them.

“There’s definitely something wrong here,” said Evans. “Something’s going on in his mind. You’re four weeks out from the fight. The only thing that you should be worried about is training and getting ready for this fight. When you’re going out trying to have a little party, it’s not good. Something else is going on. Something is wrong.

“He does need to take some time away from the sport. Fighting is a privilege. It’s not a right. When you start to forget that you’re privileged by being able to compete, that’s when you need to have a sitdown. That’s when you take a break. That’s when you need to have consequences that equal more than a slap on the wrist.”

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The latest. Jon Jones has been released on bail after turning himself in to Albuquerque police.

Rumble. Anthony Johnson says he’s willing to ‘be like Vitor and wait a year’ to fight Jon Jones.

Overwatch. The Nevada Athletic Commission says Jon Jones had passed his drug tests for out of competition testing ahead of UFC 187, but are keeping a close eye on his legal issues.

Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Demetrious Johnson, Quinton Jackson, Michael Bisping, Thomas Almeida and Alexis Davis move forward following UFC 186.

Closed. UFC middleweight Mark Munoz has announced he’s sold his Reign Training Center just weeks before his final fight.

Watcg The MMA Hour with John Dodson, Mark Munoz, Tim Means, John Makdessi, Marina Shafir, Marc Raimondi, Kevin Iole and Steve Hanoian.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

Star-divide

Comments from the woman involved in the Jones incident and from the champ’s lawyer.

Star-divide

Free Fight: Anthony Johnson vs. Alexander Gustafsson.

Star-divide

Even more Rashad.

Star-divide

Highlights from ONE Championship 26.

Star-divide

Nate Quarry vs. Jacob “The Snake” Beckmann (via Quarry)

Star-divide

Busy day for TTTHS.

Star-divide

Long watches.

UFC 186 – Inside the Guard: In-Depth look at Demetrious Johnson’s Side Control

Submission Radio 26/4/15 Rafael Dos Anjos, Tim Kennedy, Brandon Halsey + UFC 186

Star-divide

TWEETS

Star-divide

Focused.

Star-divide

Even more takes.

Star-divide

Taking it easy.

Star-divide

Commenting on Jones.

Star-divide

Beef.

Star-divide

Get well soon.

Star-divide

Nice.

Star-divide

I’m trying, Nick.

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (April 27 2015)

NA

Star-divide

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Jace Barnett.

10 Reasons I Love to Watch and Respect Mighty Mouse

Yes, yes… we all know the reasons you aren’t allowed to like Demetrious Johnson. He’s too small. He’s too short. Your seventh grade daughter outweighs him. He’s “boring.” He has no personality. Etc. etc. As much as I respect all that, and I don’t — here are ten reasons I absolutely love to watch Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson fight.

10. He’s ridiculously fast!

I know big shocker there, but as much as some of you love watching power and bombs, I am in awe of his speed.

9. He’s so smooth.

The way he transitions between various aspects of his game is just pretty. Even the way he capitalizes on his failures is smooth. Ever watch the guy shoot a single or double leg, miss badly, and then take his opponent’s back? He does it all the time! Whereas most of his peers shoot, miss, take a deep breath, reset, and hope for another chance later.

8. He’s incredibly well-rounded.

The only thing the guy doesn’t do well is keep his opponents at bay with a long reach, but considering that he stands five foot three, I’m inclined to give him a pass here. Obviously, I’m in the minority.

Check out the rest of the post here.

Star-divide

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.