Dana White: Jon Jones is the most wasted talent ‘in all of sports’
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is still awaiting word on what kind of punishment he might face after testing positive for steroids surrounding his last fight against Daniel Cormier in July.
Because Jones was also suspended last year after taking an off-market erectile dysfunction medication that was tainted with an illegal substance, the longest reigning 205-pound champion in UFC history could be looking at up to a four year suspension from the sport.
Of course no decision has been made yet, but Jones was already stripped of his title, the win against Cormier was overturned to a no contest and this latest incident just piled onto the laundry list of personal and professional issues he’s faced over the last few years.
At that point, UFC president Dana White can’t help but to call him the biggest waste of talent in the history of the professional sports.
“Ever — in all of sports,” White told TSN when asked if Jones was the most wasted talent in history. “The guy is so talented and gifted. God knows what he’d be doing right now if he had never gotten in trouble. He could possibly be the heavyweight champion and have the [title] defense record that couldn’t be broken.
“The list goes on and on of what could have been with Jon Jones.”
Jones will still go through a hearing with the California State Athletic Commission that’s rumored for December to deal with his positive drug test and then he still has to face USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency), who handles the UFC’s anti-doping program.
While there remains a slim possibility Jones could be exonerated and face no penalty, chances are he’s going to face some sort of suspension that will only be compounded by his previous conviction last year.
White says he can’t focus on what happens with Jones, especially considering the roller coaster ride the UFC has already been on with him over the past few years including a lengthy suspension after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident as well as the previous failed drug test that cost the promotion the main event at UFC 200 last July.
“Whatever happens, happens,” White said about Jones. “I’m not mentally or emotionally invested in that anymore.
