R. Evans (photo) gave his opinion on the latest controversy involving J. Jones. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The controversy involving Jon Jones and the car accident in Albuquerque generated several negative repercussions in the world of MMA. Some other athletes gave their opinions on the episode, which puts a question mark on the near future of the career of what is considered the current weight-for-pound number one in the UFC.
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Jones, who is scheduled to fight at UFC 187, at the end of May, was involved, last Sunday morning (26), in a traffic accident in the city of Albuquerque. According to witnesses, the UFC champion ran through a red light and collided with two cars, one of which was driven by a pregnant driver. The fighter fled the scene on foot, without providing assistance, returning to his car only to collect a quantity of money. He even presented himself to the police, but was released shortly after posting bail.
Rashad evans, Jones' former training partner and rival, considers the episode to be indicative of an even more serious problem in the fighter's personal life. “There is definitely something wrong going on. If you're four weeks away from the fight, the only thing you should worry about is training, preparing for the fight. When you're going out all the time, trying to party or whatever, that's not good. Something is wrong”, he commented, to the North American broadcaster “FOX Sports”. “He needs to step away from the sport because fighting is a privilege. Being able to do what he does is a privilege, not a right. When you start to forget that you are privileged to be able to compete, that is precisely the moment when you need to step away.”
Former challenger for the lightweight and featherweight belts, Kenny Florian also considers that Jones should step away from the sport, but goes further: according to him, the North American should be stripped of his title in order to fully recover.
“If they do find out that he did this, he needs to take responsibility, and there should be some kind of punishment. I don't know, they could take the title out of it – that's what I'd like to see – and maybe a six-month cliffhanger, maybe a year. Because, at the end of the day, he needs to solve his own problems. He needs to take time away from the sport to take care of this, so he can be close to his family and improve”, said Florian, who, retired, often participates in official UFC broadcasts as a commentator.
Bantamweight Michael McDonald showed solidarity with the problems faced by Jones and suggested that the champion seek to improve his religion. “I know how he feels. I've felt this emptiness and confusion caused by success. I hit rock bottom when I was 19. I had everything in the world, but for some reason, I wasn't happy. And it makes you want more, something that makes you feel better and complete. But God was waiting for me and He gave me joy, I felt His love. Jon, if you are reading this, Jesus is the only one who can fill this void in your heart, brother”, commented the athlete.
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