General UFC Chit Chat/News

As regards him fighting again, what say to the Nevada SAC have in this now?

He has a (out of competition) cocaine bust in the past, now potentially another recreational drug involved in this issue.

Do they deny a licence based on that? Or only on PEDs?

JJayoo wrote: »

But jones is only a superstar because of the UFC and because the calibre of people he fights is so high, if he was let go and went to another company fighting opposition who essentially aren't good enough to step up to the UFC his fights wouldn't have the same hype/exposure/importance

That's not really the point. That could be said for anyone.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is only a superstar because he plays for Real Madrid. If he was released by Real Madrid and ended up at Accrington Stanley he wouldn't have the same exposure".

Both Jones & Ronaldo are superstars because they are the best and have beaten the best. They earned their status, it wasn't just handed to them.

MrStuffins wrote: »

That's not really the point. That could be said for anyone.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is only a superstar because he plays for Real Madrid. If he was released by Real Madrid and ended up at Accrington Stanley he wouldn't have the same exposure".

Both Jones & Ronaldo are superstars because they are the best and have beaten the best. They earned their status, it wasn't just handed to them.

My point isn't about Jones as a fighter but more the negative effect that it would have on the UFC and his division as a lot of people are discussing whether or not he will be cut. Jones being cut from the UFC will not have a devastating effect financially on the UFC

JJayoo wrote: »

My point isn't about Jones as a fighter but more the negative effect that it would have on the UFC and his division as a lot of people are discussing whether or not he will be cut. Jones being cut from the UFC will not have a devastating effect financially on the UFC

It would not have a devastating effect on the UFC, financially or otherwise.

But there is no denying that it would be a blow both in the short term (financially) and the long term (competitively).

Say the UFC take the moral high ground and cut Jones. He does time, serves a suspension etc and then comes back. Bellator sign him up. They can't pay him the same as the UFC, nor close. But with the UFC out of the picture Bellator only have to fend off the likes of One FC or WSOF so they wouldn't have to pay him near UFC level.

Then what happens?

1 - they gain more exposure
2 - that exposure brings more viewers and more sponsors
3 - having a fighter of Jones calibre will attract more high level fighters because the best want to fight the best


It happened before when Affliction signed Fedor. OK it didn't last long because of their idiotic business plan but they still made waves for a while.

The only benefit to the UFC of cutting Jones is having "done the right thing" and let's face it, that means nothing to them. The downside is that they would offer Bellator or whoever signed him a load of benefits that they would not otherwise have.

Mike Tobacco wrote: »

Why on earth should he be stripped of the title/suspended??? For the UFC's PR/brand image?

Short answer...
Yes


Long answer...
He is going spectacularly off the rails. He's not just doing harmless recreational drugs when he's not training. He's 5 weeks out from a fight and getting caught for a hit and run possibly while doing dope.

He needs to see some real actual consequences for his actions. Those consequences should come from the law, his sponsors, the licensing commission and his employer.

Mellor wrote: »

What cocaine charges? Pretty sure you just made that up.

Sorry, I meant the whole testing positive for cocaine issue.

Mike Tobacco wrote: »

Why on earth should he be stripped of the title/suspended??? For the UFC's PR/brand image?

He's the best mixed martial artist in the world at 205 lbs, probably p4p as well. His driving skills/private life are irrelevant to that.

If he's not focused and/or taking recreational drugs in the lead up to fights and is still beating the best the UFC has to offer, that just emphasises how far ahead of everyone else he is.

If he gets time the UFC should create an interim title until he gets out. Simple as that.

DrPhilG wrote: »

Short answer...
Yes


Long answer...
He is going spectacularly off the rails. He's not just doing harmless recreational drugs when he's not training. He's 5 weeks out from a fight and getting caught for a hit and run possibly while doing dope.

He needs to see some real actual consequences for his actions. Those consequences should come from the law, his sponsors, the licensing commission and his employer.

I can't agree with your short answer. Once the UFC becomes more preoccupied with its image than with having the proven best fighter in a weight class (possibly in the organisation) as its champion then its done as a true competition.

As for your long answer, yes - perhaps we should be concerned for his welfare. Maybe a suspension until he straightens himself out would help him. But unless he breaks actual competition rules no way should he lose the belt.

MrStuffins wrote: »

Pretty sick of this "He made a mistake, take away everything he loves" culture nowadays. Sports star makes a mistake, sack him. Politician did something bad when he was younger, he has to step down. Celebrity does something bad, black list him!

The chap was having a spliff and ran a red light. Nobody died! What this has to do with him being the best fighter int he world, I have no idea. Why you'd want the best fighter to not be the champion anymore because of something he did outside of his professional capacity, I don't know.

He's the best, he should be the champ.

It'd be easier to argue his case had he not ran off. He also has a previous DUI. He's not above the law just because he's UFC champ.

Where would you draw the line then? I think he needs help and should be forced into taking a break from the sport.

JJayoo wrote: »

Tommy toehold has an awful funny clip on Jones at the moment

That video is brilliant. "I went for an impromptu run in the desert and haven't checked my phone in days......'Jon Jones wanted for....oh....oh wait....THE NEW SILENT HILL GAME WAS CANCELLED!!'"

Thankfully I don't think he's either getting suspended or stripped. His manager said today that he wants to concentrate on this fight.

UFC 187 was a big big PPV before, but if Jones/Rumble stays on it after this it'll be their most successful PPV in years.

MrStuffins wrote: »

Pretty sick of this "He made a mistake, take away everything he loves" culture nowadays. Sports star makes a mistake, sack him. Politician did something bad when he was younger, he has to step down. Celebrity does something bad, black list him!

The chap was having a spliff and ran a red light. Nobody died! What this has to do with him being the best fighter int he world, I have no idea. Why you'd want the best fighter to not be the champion anymore because of something he did outside of his professional capacity, I don't know.

He's the best, he should be the champ.

If your wife/gf was pregnant and some possibly drunk & high sport star crashed into her resulting in a broken arm would you still hold that opinion? As talented & brilliant a fighter he is , the guy is an idiot and deserves all the punishment coming to him imo. In saying that i would prefer if someone beat him to earn the belt rather than him beating himself & someone getting the belt as a result of Jones being stripped of the gold.

Hoki wrote: »

If your wife/gf was pregnant and ......

It's completely irrelevant whether it was my wife or girlfriend. That's not how the law works.