UFC Champion Jon Jones Stripped of Title, Indefinitely Suspended, Dumped by Reebok

The bomb dropped last night on Jon Jones' MMA career as Fox Sports announced that the light heavyweight champion would be stripped of his title and indefinitely suspended.  As a result, Jones will not be defending his championship against Anthony Johnson later next month.  Instead, Johnson will be going up against Daniel Cormier for a vacant UFC title.

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Jones posted a bond of $2,500 on Monday after be charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident after witnesses say that Jones struck another vehicle and then fled on on foot.  Only to return to the scene to allegedly grab some cash only to flee again from the scene.

This event is not the first time that Jones has been in trouble.  Just two years ago, Jones pled guilty to a DUI after totalling his Bentley and early this year he tested out-of-competition positively for cocaine.  During those instances, the UFC stood behind its athlete and supported him through his struggles with the law.  However, yesterday the UFC put its foot down and punished Jones for violating the Athlete Conduct Policy within its contract, indefinitely suspending him, and also forcing him to relinquish his title.  The UFC in a statement last last night said that it wanted Jones to focus on his legal problems and for him also to get the help that he needs to turn his life around.


ALSO BREAKING:

Jones contract with Reebok has been immediately terminated today.  Jones was one of the faces of the UFC's new licensing deal with Reebok.  It will be interesting to see who will join Ronda Rousey now in representing the brand and its immense advertising campaign.

For all intense and purposes Jones is an incredible athlete and he has done a lot for the sport of mixed martial arts and I wish him the best.  Hopefully we see him return to the octagon at some point in the future.  But an athlete must be wary of his or her image because their athletic prowess is one thing, but when you are the face of a company then your actions outside of your sport also reflect the reputation of that company.  Just ask Tiger Woods.

I will try to relate any new developments as Jones' case proceeds through the courts.  As always feel free to leave a comment down below and subscribe to the blog.  You can also contact me via Google + and twitter @mmalegal2016.