Jones tested positive for benzoylecgonine on Dec. 4, a month before his eighth UFC title defense against Daniel Cormier in Las Vegas, and Teixeira believes that taking away his title won’t mean anything.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t agree with this idea of taking his title. Jon Jones is the champion,” Teixeira told MMAFighting.com. “I’m like those gladiators from the past. I don’t care if you’re on something. It’s kill or die. I don’t care if he was on something or not, he’s the champion.”
The Nevada Athletic Commission can’t suspend Jones for the failed test, and the UFC hasn’t announced any type of punishment. Again, Teixeira disagrees with a possible suspension.
“If you suspend him for a year, he will come back and probably win the title again. He’s that that good,” he said. “Did you see what he did to Cormier? He will still be the champion. In my opinion, taking his title away or not makes no difference. He will come back and stay champion.”
Teixeira lost a unanimous decision to Jones at UFC 172 in April, and believes that it’s time to help the light heavyweight champion.
“Shocking. Seeing him like that… I was shocked when I read about it,” Teixeira said. “That is terrible news for everyone involved, and I hope he gets well after rehab. It’s time to root for his recovery.
“It’s not nice, he’s a UFC fighter and there are kids watching his fights and everything. But everybody makes mistakes. To err is human, but to persist in the mistake is ugly.”
Jones tested positive for benzoylecgonine on Dec. 4, a month before his eighth UFC title defense against Daniel Cormier in Las Vegas, and Teixeira believes that taking away his title won’t mean anything.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t agree with this idea of taking his title. Jon Jones is the champion,” Teixeira told MMAFighting.com. “I’m like those gladiators from the past. I don’t care if you’re on something. It’s kill or die. I don’t care if he was on something or not, he’s the champion.”
The Nevada Athletic Commission can’t suspend Jones for the failed test, and the UFC hasn’t announced any type of punishment. Again, Teixeira disagrees with a possible suspension.
“If you suspend him for a year, he will come back and probably win the title again. He’s that that good,” he said. “Did you see what he did to Cormier? He will still be the champion. In my opinion, taking his title away or not makes no difference. He will come back and stay champion.”
Teixeira lost a unanimous decision to Jones at UFC 172 in April, and believes that it’s time to help the light heavyweight champion.
“Shocking. Seeing him like that… I was shocked when I read about it,” Teixeira said. “That is terrible news for everyone involved, and I hope he gets well after rehab. It’s time to root for his recovery.
“It’s not nice, he’s a UFC fighter and there are kids watching his fights and everything. But everybody makes mistakes. To err is human, but to persist in the mistake is ugly.”
