'He must use this as an opportunity'
Thursday 7 May 2015 16:45, UK
Jon Jones’ failure to cope with the baggage of being UFC world champion led to his legal troubles, insists middleweight titleholder Chris Weidman.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Weidman has explained the pitfalls that athletes at the pinnacle of their sport must be wary of – and sympathised with the reasons behind Jones’ offence.
Jones, widely acknowledged as the greatest MMA fighter in the world, was stripped of his light-heavyweight belt and suspended indefinitely last week after he was arrested for his part in a hit-and-run incident.
Jon is going down the wrong path at the moment but I could easily have gone down that wrong path too. We’re all vulnerable, and capable of doing bad things.
“I don’t judge Jon at all for struggling with life’s temptations,” the undefeated Weidman told Sky Sports.
“I have tasted it myself. I’ve been a world champion for two years and we’ve got things at our fingertips that celebrities don’t even have.
“Everybody wants to be around the toughest guy in the world. Everybody wants to be friends with the champion of the world so it’s a tough situation to be in.
“Jon is going down the wrong path at the moment but I could easily have gone down that wrong path too. We’re all vulnerable, and capable of doing bad things.”
Opportunity
Jones was scheduled to defend his title at UFC 186 on May 23 but Weidman’s defence against Vitor Belfort has now replaced him as the headline attraction.
Weidman believes that Jones, his fellow New Yorker, must use his enforced time away from the spotlight to rehabilitate himself before returning as an inspiring figure that has learned from road and drug indiscretions.
“This will give him an opportunity,” he said.
“All Jon’s faults and everything he’s done wrong – the DUI charge, the cocaine test, getting drunk and now this – gives him a chance to disappear for a while and rebuild himself so he can become an amazing role model.
“Everybody, whether they’re UFC champion or not, has their secrets. But Jon’s secrets are all out. Everybody messes up.
“He needs to overcome his problems and become a more powerful person. This break will allow him to do that. The UFC made the right decision to suspend him but it’s the best thing for Jon, too.
“He can come back stronger because people will see a guy who has messed up but rebounded, and they will relate to that.”
