UFC president calls Jon Jones ‘biggest waste of talent ever’
Jon Jones reacts after knocking out Daniel Cormier during UFC 214 in Anaheim, California, Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Hans Gutknecht /Los Angeles Daily News via AP)
Disgraced mixed martial artist Jon Jones has been given plenty of chances by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), but his latest conundrum seems to be the final straw.
After a string of run-ins with the law, the two-time UFC light heavyweight champion returned to glory last July, knocking out Daniel Cormier in UFC 214.
Less than a month later, his win was overturned and he got stripped of the title after testing positive for Turinabol, a banned anabolic steroid.
READ: UFC champ Jon Jones flagged for another failed doping test
Speaking during an interview on The TSN MMA Show, UFC President Dana White couldn’t help but express his disappointment with the promotion’s former poster boy.
[It would be the biggest waste of talent] ever. Ever, in all of sports,” the UFC boss described Jones, as relayed by MMA Fighting.
“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.”
Aside from being practically undefeated—with his lone loss coming from a disqualification—Jones holds the prestige as the youngest fighter to hold UFC gold.
His reign included eight-title defenses, but he’s also been stripped of the title on three separate occasions—another UFC record.
Jones is currently awaiting a hearing at the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) regarding his latest drug failure, which could earn him a possible four-year suspension.
Regardless of Jones’ verdict, White made it clear that he won’t be losing sleep over it anytime soon.
“Whatever happens [with his suspension], happens. Believe me, I’m not mentally or emotionally invested in that anymore.” Khristian Ibarrola /ra
