Morning Report: Doling career advice, Chael Sonnen says Jon Jones needs to 'turn controversy into cash'

Chael Sonnen knows a thing or two about damage control.

Be it a conviction for money laundering, failed drugs tests or being fired from a hosting role at FOX Sports, the former UFC contender has always found a way to survive and thrive.

Doling out a few life lessons to his UFC 159 opponent Jon Jones, Sonnen says the former UFC light heavyweight champion is in much better shape than most would believe.

"I think it'll be a wake up call for him," Sonnen said of Jones' recent legal issues (via Brutally Honest Show). "I really do. This has been going on for a really long time. These aren't one-offs. One thing with athletes, as a whole, is that they never have to grow up. If you're a 26 year-old athlete like he is, you might as well be a 16 year-old. Athletes are never forced into that real world situation.

"They're always in the locker room joking around. It does stunt your development. I can tell you, as an athlete, there are downsides to the way your character evolves. It's just slower."

On Tuesday, Jones pleaded guilty on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident and was granted a conditional discharge in Bernalillo County Second Judicial District Court. Jones was given 18 months of supervised probation.

"He's been at it for a long time and managed to keep himself safe and out of trouble for the most part and that changed," said Sonnen. "People know who he is. Cops are going to love to bust him. People are going to love to make anonymous phone calls and bring this guy down. He doesn't have to change his behavior as drastically as some make it out. He's just got to not drive."

Sonnen also has advice for anyone working through some turbulence publicly or privately.

"You just don't quit," said Sonnen. "You keep going. From a philosophical standpoint, controversy creates cash. If you get in a jam you've got to get in a room with smart people and start thinking. If you can't turn controversy into cash then you're missing a major opportunity.

"One of my philosophies is that I don't apologize, but that isn't a blanket answer. If you're wrong, apologize, but apologize to the right people. You don't owe everybody an apology or explanation. If you're wrong, don't be afraid to say that you're wrong. The coverup is always worse than the crime. Take your lumps and you'll move forward a lot quicker.

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MEDIA STEW

UFC 192 embedded episode 3.

Quick hits from UFC 192 media day.

Rashad Evans says he's "just better" than Ryan Bader.

Daniel Cormier, Rashad Evans and Tyron Woodley meet the Houston Rockets.

Burt Watson says the female fighters in the UFC were much easier to work with.

Luke Rockhold destroying iPhones for some reason.

Long watches.

If I Did It: Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Alex Gustafsson edition

TWEETS

He's back.

Beef.

I don't even and have not worked with Dolce for quite some time...so fighting with me will have... https://t.co/vH3syTLXxl

— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) October 1, 2015

BJ -Try to enjoy obscurity without embarrassing yourself NL

— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) October 1, 2015

Cuttin'.

#tbt pic..... I'll be skinny like this in a few hours! About to cut the water weight! https://t.co/qONdT8lCgd #ufc192

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) October 2, 2015

One last good workout. Feel the best I have ever felt going into any fight. Time to show it. @ufc... https://t.co/kUrFuGvQUo

— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) October 2, 2015

Off to cut this last few pounds ;) #UFC192 #toughgirls

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) October 2, 2015

Get well soon.

New X-ray yesterday at doctors visit. 3 more weeks and I'm back to work pins are coming out Oct 22.$$ https://t.co/QWWh77dnEp

— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) October 1, 2015

In the movies.

Went to a casting call look who I ran into. @ViciousOrtiz https://t.co/rl5AdorCS6

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) October 1, 2015

Dang.

@cal_tweets_mma @Cody_Nolove @danawhite @ufc This wud be AMAZE but won't happen cuz the more we (fans) chant about it the more he ignores

— Nina ✌️ (@Nina_Lo2425) October 2, 2015

@Nina_Lo2425 @cal_tweets_mma @Cody_Nolove @ufc I don't ignore. Brian probably won't accept the fight.

— Dana White (@danawhite) October 2, 2015

Where you at @BryanCaraway ?? https://t.co/MiJkj4bciL

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) October 2, 2015

@Cody_Nolove @BryanCaraway @danawhite @Nina_Lo2425 @cal_tweets_mma @ufc Been down that lonely path already... Hiding under a tit or two...

— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 2, 2015

Crazy.

Four years ago today I fought @anthony_rumble. It seems unbelievable, but it was just another... https://t.co/sCpEjJ5Sui

— Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) October 1, 2015

This Week in Struggle.

Just got to @24hourfitness and it's closed! What the hell? The name says this shouldn't happen. Someone please explain.

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 27, 2015

To Who ever stole my bike. Enjoy. It's cursed anyways and the tires have a slow leak. I didn't like it anyways #DamnVenice

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) October 1, 2015

1 mile run with War Wagon=sheer brutality. If you listen to your body during this exercise you WILL... https://t.co/KlOl9j2Nns

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 2, 2015

Weird couple of days. *Engaged *Not popular enough *Engaged

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) September 28, 2015

Blah Blah Blah Blah you suck Blah Blah Blah Blah twitter basically

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) September 29, 2015

Doing interviews with the Washington Wizards and Nene has to go 4 the RNC! Brazil would be proud!!! #AskBJM pic.twitter.com/Bzkrh73z3d

— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) September 28, 2015

No hospitality, juat kicked us out of the hotel. Econo Lodge, West... https://t.co/KTYvVB1jNd

— Pete Spratt (@IamPeteSpratt) September 27, 2015

The USADA registration process was a pain in the a**. But it's very clear and swift if you break the rules. Definitely good for the sport!

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 30, 2015

Filling out this USADA whereabouts thing is maaddd annoying! You guys better catch some juicers and make this worth my while. #ufc

— kajan johnson (@IamRagin) October 1, 2015

Seriously pic.twitter.com/YGkwnNARp9

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) October 1, 2015

I reak of manliness right now in my truck pic.twitter.com/ImEEL7q06G

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) September 30, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Oct. 1 2015)

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FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via cyborg73.

RICH FRANKLIN BELONGS IN THE UFC HALL OF FAME!

On the heels of the recent retirement announcement of Rich "Ace" Franklin, I deem it necessary to try and educate the casual MMA fanbase about why this great fighter deserves such a prestigious honor such as an induction into the UFC Hall of Fame. Any follower of the UFC's history will have their personal picks as to who should be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. But what, exactly, is the criteria necessary for such an induction? Bear with me as I break it down in the case of Ace.

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Check out the rest of the post here.

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