According to a great number of people in MMA, Jon Jones is the best fighter in the history of the sport. Also according to a great number of people in MMA, Jon Jones is the biggest waste of talent in the history of the sport. UFC President Dana White happens to fall into both categories.
In a recent interview with The TSN MMA Show, White asserted that should Jones’ latest snafu with USADA result in another long-term suspension, the former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion will be the biggest waste of talent not just in MMA, but in the history of sports.
“[It would be the biggest waste of talent] ever. Ever, in all of sports. The guy is so talented and gifted, God knows what he’d be doing right now if he had never got in trouble. He could possibly be the heavyweight champion and have the defense record that couldn’t be broken. The list goes on and on of what could’ve been with Jon Jones.”
Jones has been one of the most successful fighters in MMA history. He is a two-time light heavyweight champion and the youngest fighter to ever hold UFC gold. His initial reign atop the division is one of the greatest in the history of the sport, featuring eight title defenses, tied for third-most all time.
But his pratfalls have been almost as numerous as his victories. Jones has been stripped of three different UFC belts (also a record) and failed multiple drugs tests by USADA to go along with myriad legal troubles outside of the cage. Jones is currently awaiting a hearing for most recent failure (for an in-competition drug test at UFC 214) but White doesn’t seem to hold out much hope for good news coming from that.
“Whatever happens [with his suspension], happens. Believe me, I’m not mentally or emotionally invested in that anymore.”
White has written Jones off before, famously stating that Jones would “never take the risk of headlining a show with Jon Jones again” after the fiasco Jones caused at UFC 200 by being forced off the card just days beforehand. And while UFC 214 proved that notion false, perhaps being burned a second time might cause White to more seriously consider a hardline approach to Jones. Then again, he may not have to. Jones is facing a possible four-year suspension that even his own coaches say could end his career.
Jon Jones has a hearing with the California Athletic Commission in December in Sacramento, Calif.
MUST-READ STORIES
Holm. Holly Holm responds to Cris Cyborg’s USADA call out of her.
219. Edson Barboza says he accepted a fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 219.
Next generation. Pregnant Julianna Pena discusses putting her career on hold and when she will return.
Emotions. Kevin Lee said his staph infection and bad weight cut made him “too emotional” at UFC 216.
Poster. The UFC revealed the post for UFC 218.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA (After) Hour.
Free fights.
This will never go away.
This is an interesting video discussing what happens with orbital bone injuries in fights.
LISTEN UP
The MMA Circus. Discussing UFC Gdansk, Mousasi-Shlemenko, UFC Winnipeg
Beatdown. Alexander Shlemenko and Jordan Young interviews.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Holm’s response which is perfect.
I cannot imagine a worse look than this for Cris Cyborg.
Former boxing opppnent of @HollyHolm tweeted this today. https://t.co/nsN35RxZJa
— #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) October 18, 2017
The test counts of 9 and 8 are total for 2017 and not the tests leading up to #ufc219. I'd like same # random test from Oct 1-Dec30 fight. pic.twitter.com/4P1hoCoPFu
— #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) October 17, 2017
This is disgusting and Corey Anderson needs to chill.
IV antibiotics aren’t killing my mutant staph infection #UFC217 isn’t happening for me. Sorry everyone #FuckMRSA #SucksButItCanAlwaysBeWorse pic.twitter.com/IvatcUfmcA
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) October 17, 2017
Talking tough now that you know I pulled out? Let’s rebook it. I’m still down. You need more time to train for me anyways https://t.co/evZfgmfl1y
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) October 17, 2017
Im talking real. @danawhite @AliAbdelaziz00 @Mickmaynard2 @ufc move it to the Dec 2nd card. I was down in 2014. I'm down on my worst day. https://t.co/p0eLx7zRxx
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) October 17, 2017
Nicholson trying to get back.
@CoreyA_MMA I'd love to share he ring with you #ufc217 you about that life ?! @Mickmaynard2
— AlexSpartanNicholson (@spartanlife32) October 17, 2017
If the @ufc resigns you and put your name on my desk. We can dance! I got a mean 2 step https://t.co/9Ta69B5pIZ
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) October 18, 2017
Frankie on the new poster.
Lawler looks happier than he usually does at UFC events.
Winnipeg, look who's here! @Ruthless_RL with @MickEMoose_00!
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) October 18, 2017
GO @NHLJets!#UFCWinnipeg pic.twitter.com/B6wgIWtMfC
Fair.
If anyone ever tells me I deserved to get cut after CM Punk gets two in the Octagon can... pic.twitter.com/aFBuVCfKll
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) October 17, 2017
That’s a lot of ones.
Fuck it why not ♂️ pic.twitter.com/nfeWR9IAJB
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) October 17, 2017
Informative stuff.
According to our stats, the avg. UFC PPV buy rate for 2017 is currently sitting at 278k buys per show. https://t.co/2n858VXFPt
— Steven Kelliher (@Steven_Kelliher) October 17, 2017
If you remove the outlier that is Jones-Cormier at UFC 214, the avg. drops to 206k buys.
— Steven Kelliher (@Steven_Kelliher) October 17, 2017
656k PPV buy avg. for 2016. 565k avg, without UFC 200 or UFC 205. 510k avg. without the McGregor-Diaz bouts. 367k avg, without Conor or 200.
— Steven Kelliher (@Steven_Kelliher) October 17, 2017
So, essentially, removing known stars and going with the middle/lower class of UFC headliners, 2016 still beats 2017 by an avg. of 161k buys
— Steven Kelliher (@Steven_Kelliher) October 17, 2017
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Warlley Alves (10-2) vs. Salim Touahri (10-1); UFC Gdansk, Oct. 21.
Tecia Torres (9-1) vs. Michelle Waterson (14-5); UFC 218, Dec. 2.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2008: Michael Bisping won a unanimous decision over Chris Leben at UFC 89.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“I like Francis Ngannou. I think Francis Ngannou can be the next big thing, literally and figuratively. When you’re a badass, language has nothing to do with it. Look at Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre, the list goes on and on. It’s about your performances. We think about the talking because Conor’s so good. Conor’s a great fighter and every time he opens his mouth it’s hilarious but you find those guys every once in a blue moon.”
That is a quote from Dana from the same interview as above. Think about that and then think about the PPV rate of UFC 216.
Also, Tony vs. Conor beat out Nate vs. Conor by a 3-1 margin on yesterday’s poll for those interested.
That’s all for today folks. Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Is Jon Jones the biggest waste of talent in the history of sports?
This poll is closed
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33%
Yes.
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55%
He’s the biggest waste of talent in MMA history but not in all of sports.
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10%
No. He’s not even the biggest waste of talent in MMA history.
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