UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has received a somewhat supportive message from a surprising source amid his latest legal battle.
Jones has once again found himself in hot water away from the Octagon. He has frequently fallen foul of the law in the past, with incidents ranging from arrests for a hit-and-run and domestic violence to multiple drug suspensions.
This year has once again seen controversy surround the Rochester native after Jones became under investigation for allegations he threatened the life and took the mobile phone of a female agent for Drug Free Sport International — the organization that administers the UFC’s new anti-doping program.
The UFC star was accused of saying, “Do you know what happens to people who come to my house? They end up dead.” He was subsequently issued a summons on accusations of assault and interfering with communications.
While he claimed no such altercation occurred in posts on social media and instead accused the drug tester of breaking protocol in the visit, he was charged with assault, a petty misdemeanor, and interference with communications, a misdemeanor, this week.
When incidents like this occur, fans often look back to comments made by Jones' arch rival Daniel Cormier, who told his bitter foe a number of years ago that he will never change. "DC," however, isn't among those rushing to slate the heavyweight champ...
Cormier Defends Jones: 'I Know We All Rush To Judge Him...'
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier reacted to some of the major talking points currently floating about in the MMA community, including confirmation that Jones is headed for a bench trial for his alleged assault of the drug tester.
Although "Bones" hasn't been cleared of any wrongdoing, Cormier believes the incident is likely being blown out of proportion and won't lead to any severe consequences for his former two-time opponent.
Jon Jones got charged for the incident with the lady at the testing," Cormier said. "Guys, he got served two misdemeanors. ... If I'm being completely honest, though, the whole time I kind of thought that deal was BS. I feel like he was approached very early, right? Or if I recall, it was either early in the morning or late in the evening, where he could've been home having some drinks.
I know we all rush to judge Jones because of his past issues, but the reality is, if a man is at his house and he's having some drinks in the confines of his own home, so what? ... And if the drug testers come and he might be a little bit tipsy or messed up, maybe the interactions aren't as fun or as easy as they may have been in different other occasions," Cormier continued. "So I kind of always thought it was BS. I don't think much is gonna come of it. But because he is who he is, it's always a story. ... I don't really think that this is that big of a deal.
In the latest update to the story, Jones pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges while appearing for his bond arraignment at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court on Wednesday.
Conditions for his release were set, including not violating any laws, possessing firearms or dangerous weapons, and consuming alcohol or illicit drugs, ahead of a bench trial in 30 to 45 days.
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