UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones is one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet. However, he also courts controversy like a teenage boy on Tinder. He finds a match, but it ever ends well. His most recent scandal saw police arrest him on an aggravated DUI as well as a firearm offense.
Meanwhile, the UFC is currently feuding with him overpay. However, outside of all of this he feels like a better human being. Fans praised him for his efforts in keeping the peace in his adopted home, Albuquerque. Now he wants to make even more of a difference.
In sum, Jones says that this is his priority. He also wants to make as much money as possible. That doesn’t have to be with the UFC.
Money Talks
The champion said that if the price was right he would consider a move to a rival organization. We’ve seen many UFC fighters jump ship in the past, most notably Demetrious Johnson to ONE. However, Jones is infinitely more famous than Johnson. This is the next level. However, at the end of the day, money talks.
“I do believe wholeheartedly that the companies that own Bellator and some of these other leagues do have the same amount of financial backing that the UFC had and I do believe that having Jon Jones be the new face of your promotion, especially today when I’m really making an effort really for the first time to get my sh*t somewhat together,” Jones said on Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast.
“I do feel good. My last DWI has done a lot for me. It set me free in so many ways. It embarrassed me and it reality checked me. I’ve never been on camera drunk for the public to see like that. It was humiliating and somewhat of a bottom for me and I’m ready to snap it into high gear.”
Asset
Make no mistake, Jones is aware of his worth. He won’t fight unless the UFC pays him what he’s due. However, they’re at an impasse because the promotion is refusing to budge. It’s a case of who will blink first. That’s why Jones is considering his options. He said:
“I think right now’s a good time for any company to have me for sure. My goal is to be an asset to any company that I’m a part of. I got a feeling if I am able to get out of my UFC contract, that I would be huge for another company.”
Care
Glory does not motivate Jones now. In short, he just wants to help people. That’s why he’s so passionate about the CARE Project in Albuquerque. Finally, he has the chance to give back.
“Right now though, honestly, being involved with the C.A.R.E. project and being detached from the UFC and trolls and all that type of stuff,” Jones said. “This is motivating me way more than a world championship fight. I’ve been winning title fights for so long now, I get what that feels like, I know what the afterparty feels like, I know what it feels like to be called champ and looked at as the greatest fighter forever.
I’ve been experiencing these things for so long now that that sh*t doesn’t really tickle me anymore. Changing my life and giving back to other people and having people say thanks for what you did for the city last night and stuff like that, my neighbors look at me like a person that they’re incredibly proud to be neighbors with. That means so much more to me than being a UFC champion and I’m so grateful.”
