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It's never bad to have friends who can defend you on national TV.
A former training partner of light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, UFC veteran turned commentator Brian Stann joined 'America's Pregame' on FOX Sports 1 to help remind fans of the fighter's humanity.
"The first priority is that Jon and his family, but specifically Jon, get the help he needs and I know that that is the UFC's No. 1 priority," said Stann. "I'm glad to see that he's already checked into a treatment facility. He's got three beautiful daughters and a fiancee, Jessie, who I've had the privilege to meet, and I'm glad to hear that news immediately following this breaking news that's so unfortunate."
Despite Jones having failed a Dec. 4 drug test for cocaine metabolites, Stann doesn't believe the result should mar his Jan. 3 title defense to Daniel Cormier at UFC 182.
"In my eyes as an analyst and being that it's out of competition, no," said Stann. "I don't think there's a whole lot of performance enhancement speaking of cocaine. I mean obviously he didn't take it right before the fight. I think obviously this is going to hurt his image and a lot of the other things he has going on outside of the Octagon for his brand, but this is an opportunity for him to do what's best for him and his family right now. That's the No. 1 priority and knowing Jon personally I don't think there's anything this kid can't overcome."
Stann believes Jones has what it takes to rebuild his image with fans and peers alike, comparing him to one of America's more controversial leaders.
"It's going to be difficult," said Stann. "It's certainly going to be negative for his image. After the [Cormier] fight [Jones] did some interviews where I thought a lot of people really came around and saw the real side of Jon Jones. People started talking and saying, 'Hey, give the guy a break. He doesn't have to be perfect. He can be a little mean.' So I think this swings the pendulum a little bit back in the opposite direction. He's going to get criticized and he's going to have to take this one on the chest, but first and foremost he's got to worry about himself and his family.
"But look, this is a country where one of the highest paid speakers in the country is [former U.S. president] Bill Clinton and he's considered a hero in many ways. [Clinton] has certainly overcome much worse than a positive drug test so I think Jon can overcome this."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Rehab for Bones. UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has tested positive for cocaine metabolites and has entered a drug-treatment facility.
DC's response. After dropping a five-round decision to Jones at UFC 182, Daniel Cormier comments on the champion's failed drug test.
Reebok. The brand says its relationship with Jon Jones as a sponsored fighter 'has not changed.'
Cowboy. After agreeing to fight in back to back UFC events, Donald Cerrone says 'I'm not every other fighter' because 'I don't give a s**t.'
'I'm getting old, man.' Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia opens up on the disappointing end to his MMA career.
MEDIA STEW
Kenny Florian responds to the Jones news.
This week's UFC rankings report.
Rampage Jackson Doesn't Think Bellator Will 'Put Up a Big Fuss' With Contract.
Joe Rogan finds out about Jones entering rehab live on his podcast.
The internet is having fun.
TTTHS.
Long watches.
Brendan says Jon Jones is GOAT, Bryan's back from Bora Bora
...
It's Time! with Bruce Buffer. Bruce is joined by Ariel Helwani.
...
TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to Jon Jones' failed drug test.
More reactions.
I thought that Pat Healy couldn't take 130.000 $ because of drugs.What the different between @JonnyBones and @BamBamHealy @ufc @arielhelwani
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 7, 2015
Jon Jones: Kilo for Kilo the best fighter on the planet!
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) January 7, 2015
People make mistakes, I wish the best for Jon & his family. I know he will make a full recovery, I will do whatever I can to support him.
— Israel Martinez (@IzzyStyle) January 7, 2015
Seriously!? #LettingTheSideDown
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) January 7, 2015
Damn! @ufc @danawhite I can honestly say the best thing to happen to me was getting fired from the UFC #danaisabitch pic.twitter.com/JBZhl2macz
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) January 6, 2015
@ufc @danawhite you dumb bitches fire me for weed while you allow fighters to use hard drugs with zero consequences. #ufcistrash
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) January 6, 2015
Smh pic.twitter.com/862qi3L37W
— THE BLACK BEAST (@Thebeast_ufc) January 7, 2015
Kind of thought @reebok was grasping at straws with this uniform deal anyway. Guess they weren't the only ones. #unbroken
— Dethrone Royalty (@dethrone) January 7, 2015
Thanks Jon jones for supporting the kochead movement. Lol sorry I had to do it.
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) January 7, 2015
Praying for you @JonnyBones
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) January 7, 2015
It just makes me wonder, do arrogant assholes gravitate towards cocaine, or is it a side effect
— MAYHEM (@mayhemmiller) January 7, 2015
JON JONES YOU NEED TO HANDLE THE MEDICINE LIKE THE LEGEND OTHERWISE TAKE A FUCKING WALK
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 7, 2015
Time To face the best, Jon Jones vs Jon Jones, and @JonnyBones will win. God bless u brother. Awesome job by @ufc Supporting the champ
— Igor Araujo (@igoraraujojj) January 7, 2015
Don't know why, but I wanna party with Jon Jones now
— chris fields (@chrisfieldsmma) January 6, 2015
Really!?!? Positive drug test and he's applauded for his decision to enter rehab? Hopefully punishment is in store...treat everyone equal
— Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) January 7, 2015
No matter what you think about @JonnyBones he is human thoughts and prayers for him and his family it's bigger then sports its life @ufc
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) January 6, 2015
:/ I hope he gets better but .... RT @SteveBrownmma: @ufc You punish guys for smoking pot but let your champs get away with doing coke.
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) January 7, 2015
Lil Jack Horner sitting on the corner With no shoes n clothes This aint funny, but he took his money An sniffed it up his nose #teamcormier
— Danny Mitchell (@DannyAranha) January 7, 2015
If cocaine isn't banned out of comp (which is confusing considering marijuana is) why even test for it?
— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) January 6, 2015
So Jones keeps the belt after testing + for cocaine in camp but anyone tests + for weed gets screwed. I bet Pat Healy is livid right now.
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) January 6, 2015
.@davemeltzerWON @FrontRowBrian @iamjohnpollock @arielhelwani is Jones going to keep that Performance Bonus?
— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) January 7, 2015
Shocked it took this long for him to get caught, been lucky for a long time RT @arielhelwani: Jon Jones tests positive for cocaine -
— Brittany (@BritJitsu) January 6, 2015
LFMAO.....I don't make these memes so get off my nutts #BonesNose pic.twitter.com/KrokPiePXy
— Mackens (@MackDaMenaceMMA) January 7, 2015
Cocaine is a hell of a drug! http://t.co/VaM1su5P8d
— MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) January 7, 2015
@JonnyBones world champion. Come back soon my friend
— Scoggins (@ScogginsFlow) January 7, 2015
In a world with so many self proclaimed Christians it is AMAZING to see the stones being hurled as soon as a target is pointed out
— Scoggins (@ScogginsFlow) January 7, 2015
Well, I guess once Bones Jones gets out of rehab, we'll finally know whether or not he beats Cain (I made it up, don't steal it as your own)
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) January 6, 2015
Not defending him at all btw. But come on, sooooo many fighters are on shit and jones get caught? Lol what about the other 80% who cheat?
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) January 6, 2015
I wonder what @ufc code of ethics say about this #KingOfTheSniff pic.twitter.com/L9kaTiRJGu
— Mackens (@MackDaMenaceMMA) January 6, 2015
@danawhite I hope you suspended Jones and over turn the win Just like riddle and everyone else you guys have punished. @dc_mma gets the W
— Chris Tickle (@badboytickle) January 6, 2015
I know many of YOU people would be in big trouble if you were young, rich and famous! Don't act moral because you have neither. Lol
— Bristol Marunde (@BristolMarunde) January 7, 2015
Jon Jones "the sky is red" Holy shit I didn't realize...but the sky is in fact red. Cocaine is allowed between fights but cannabis isn't??
— Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) January 6, 2015
#JonJones ..... Lol pic.twitter.com/diVJsSnDvO
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) January 7, 2015
Ok, last one pic.twitter.com/2C6bhebRgj
— Mackens (@MackDaMenaceMMA) January 7, 2015
Another Jones statement.
.@JonnyBones statement regarding testing positive for cocaine. pic.twitter.com/qTJ92RIuRL
— America's Pregame (@AmericasPregame) January 6, 2015
Good to hear.
Cool story.
My family fought alongside Wallace in the fight against King Edward I and the English occupiers in the late 1200's. @Javilazaga
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 6, 2015
Get well soon.
Sick with the flu
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) January 7, 2015
Surgery done thnx so much @ufc @seanshelby @danawhite @lorenzofertitta It's a huge deal to family & I how well I've been taken care of
— George Roop (@GeorgeRoop) January 7, 2015
Free agent.
I am looking for a job @MMAWorldSeries @BellatorMMA if you guys are interested in someone hungry for a fight just let me know
— Fabricio Camões (@fabriciocamoes) January 7, 2015
He's next.
Har precis publicerat ett foto http://t.co/gbT0x0pkqc
— Alexander Gustafsson (@AlexTheMauler) January 6, 2015
Here we go.
Also cool to see cm training hard with us. Cool ass dude. http://t.co/Y4X0Qnma66
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) January 6, 2015
Vote or Die.
Vamos votar pessoal!!!! Primeira Ring Girl do Brasil concorrendo ao Oscar Mundial! http://t.co/4hFyobDekN pic.twitter.com/sZpemgOhtx
— Jhenny Andrade UFC (@jhennyandrade10) January 6, 2015
Damn.
@Milford_Boss @johnalessio79 Hahahah guys it's great to see that I'm in great company ;-) priceless pics got Luv life pic.twitter.com/Gnq4mUw7Ot
— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) January 7, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 6 2015)
Roy Nelson vs. Alistair Overeem at UFC 185
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via magic_fingers.
DC quick turn around for a rematch?
Call me crazy, but the UFC should try and match Jon and DC up again. Not immediately, but I'm thinkin if DC should get back in th title picture with 1 convincing win.
Think about it. How often does the UFC come close to 750k PPV buys?
The 205lb division is also pretty weak right now. Jon has dismantled pretty much everyone except for Rumble, DC, and Gus.
...
Check out the rest of the post here.
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