Jon Jones has had a busy few days. First of all, he’s been back-and-forth with UFC President Dana White. If Jones is to be believed he’s going to vacate his title unless the world’s biggest MMA promotion gives him more money. Right now that seems about as likely as Conor McGregor going to Khabib’s house for Christmas dinner.
Meanwhile, he’s been out and about on the streets of Albuquerque. Only now he’s using his presence as a force for good. The UFC light-heavyweight champion is trying to stop young protestors from committing acts of vandalism in the city he calls home.
Check out the clip below of Jones shutting down some young vandals who wanted to spray paint private property. Jones refuses to allow them to proceed, even telling one of them to give him the can. It’s an impressive display of civil responsibility from Jones.
Jon Jones out helping protect the streets of Albuquerque. (via @JonnyBones) https://t.co/yHnAaj7sOT pic.twitter.com/3lb63Z1aiN
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) June 1, 2020
Disrespect
Jones has been vocal about his battles with racism throughout his life but he doesn’t want to see chaos during the protests. In short, he believes that it takes away from the message that they’re all about. As you can see the youngsters in the clip above were justifiably afraid of him. In a post on Instagram he wrote:
“Is this s**t even about George Floyd anymore?!? Why the f**k are you punk ass teenagers destroying our cities!?? As a young black man trust me I’m frustrated as well but this is not the way, we are starting to make a bad situation worse. If you really got love for your city (505), protect your s**t. All you old heads need to speak up, call your young family members and tell them to come home tonight.”
Bones out, when you see me in the streets just call me JJ 🤙🏾
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020
Vacate
Undefeated in championship fights, Jones appears ready to walk away from the sport. In short, he’s disappointed with Dana White, as a vicious war of words escalated. Both Ariel Helwani and Brett Okamoto wrote that Jones is serious about stepping away unless the UFC gives him his value. He wrote:
“#ESPN Reyes vs Jan For the UFC light heavyweight championship of the world. As of right now, I got nothing to really gain fighting either of them. Let me know if you guys want to set up a day in 2021 for that Izzy fight. Hopefully you guys will be willing to pay by then.”
It would be a significant blow to the UFC to lose Jones because he is one of their most high-profile champions. In fact, in terms of current active fighters he’s probably the most visible other than Khabib Nurmagamedov.
To the light heavyweight title Veni, vidi, vici
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020
Not Happening
However, Dana White is not the most conciliatory figure in MMA. In sum, he appears accepting of the situation and ready to allow Jones to walk. This definitely isn’t the first time he’s openly feuded with a high-profile fighter. After Jones’s most recent arrest he has less bargaining power.
“He can do whatever he wants,” White told the UFC Las Vegas post-fight press conference. “If he wants to sit out, fight, he can do whatever. He can say whatever he wants publicly. It’s his God-given right in America. He can say whatever he wants. When he’s ready to come back, he can.
“In one of his tweets, he said I tarnished his name. I tarnished you? You’ve done a very good job of tarnishing you.”
