MMA fighters, like any athlete, are criticized for poor performance outside of the octagon. They are made into a spectacle and any mistakes are magnified due to their vast exposure and impact on the industry. Frequent examples of such negative exposure include failed drug tests, violence, and alcohol related charges. Jon Jones has been suspected of the latter. While driving in his Bentley in New York at 5:00 a.m., Jon Jones completely totaled the vehicle and was then arrested on the spot. According to police reports, he hit a pole, and due to the severity of the damage to his car, and his manner at the scene, they suspected him of drunk driving. He was bailed out later that day when his mom came to the Broome County Sheriff’s department.
According to spectators on the scene, Jones left with a bloody nose and two girls who were in the car with him suffered facial injuries. The air bag prevented Jones from suffering further serious injuries. While no one knows why he was driving around that early in the morning with two girls in his car, the main concern at the moment is their recovery.
The real twist to the story is that Jones shot a video with the same law enforcement officers earlier in the year discussing police training and protocol.
Yesterday following the incident Malki Kawa, Jones’ manager, stated, “I can confirm that Jon Jones was arrested early this morning on suspicion of DUI. While the facts of this situation are still being gathered and situated, First Round Management fully supports Jon, and we are asking for fans and media to respect the privacy of Jon and his family during this time.”
While it hasn’t been verified if Jones was actually driving under the influence of alcohol, all this negative exposure has put Jones’ character into question. Jones is notorious for setting an example of integrity for others, and seeks to be a role model. While he has maintained a primarily pristine image in the face of the media, a mistake was bound to have been made. Unfortunately, this could ultimately hurt him with future sponsorship opportunities. A fan can only hope that this will not affect the UFC light heavyweight champion in the long run, whose next fight is approaching September 1. Whether or not the UFC decides to take action against him to use as an example for others, his fans support or disapproval, undoubtedly, will be the real testimony to his offense.
-Emily Kapala