Jon Jones' manager says there's a chance he'll never return to UFC
Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was indefinitely suspended and stripped of his title less than a week ago after being arrested on allegations of leaving the scene of an accident that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm. But even if he gets through the court case and reinstated by the UFC, there's no guarantee he'll ever return to fighting.
According to Jones' longtime manager Malki Kawa, there's a chance his client will walk away from MMA completely as he looks to get his life in order after this latest incident.
"It could very well be the last time we've seen Jon Jones in the Octagon," Kawa told MMAFighting.com on Monday. "I think Jon Jones is gonna focus on Jon Jones. I think he's gonna take the time to do whatever he's gotta do. And if it's the last time we've seen him fight, it's the last time we've seen him fight. And I'm OK with that."
Jones already has been in the crosshairs of public scrutiny after testing positive for cocaine this past December, just three weeks before his fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 182. Jones also faced DWI charges after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole in New York in 2012.
Jones may not have a choice in an extended break from fighting, regardless of his own personal decision. The UFC placed him on an indefinite suspension under violation of their athlete code of conduct policy and there's been no timeline set for when they would allow him to fight again.
The more severe possibility comes from the court case Jones is facing; he may be indicted on felony charges for leaving the scene of an accident with a penalty that includes up to three years in prison.
Even if Jones avoids jail time and the UFC lifts the suspension, Kawa says the decision on whether or not to return to the Octagon still lies solely with the fighter. He believes there are any number of reasons why Jones wouldn't come back, but the former champion will bear the burden no matter what.
"If he ever doesn't come back to the sport, it's because he doesn't want to come back to the sport," Kawa said. "If it was because of too much pressure? Could be. If it's because of the belt? Could be. If it's because the competition is too much, it could be. Whatever he decides is the reason why he won't come back to the sport, but it'll be solely on him.
"I'm not gonna blame anything or anyone for anything Jon Jones does. And no one, at the same token, can take credit for anything Jon Jones does. Everything that's Jon Jones' is Jon Jones'. The good, the bad and the ugly."
Kawa said from his perspective he's "50/50" on whether or not Jones will actually return if and when the fallout from his recent arrest finally settles down.
The only thing he can guarantee is if Jones walks away and retires from the sport of MMA, it will be Jones' call — and not because of his recent suspension, being stripped of the title, or anything else that's happened as a result of his arrest.
"If this is the last time we've ever seen him fight. and it very well may be, then it's because of a decision he's decided to make," Kawa said. "It won't be because of something you guys are perceiving to be a problem. It won't be because of any of the negative headlines of the positive things he's done. It's just because he feels he's had it. Maybe that's it."
If there was a bright side to the entire conversation, Kawa said the same would be true if Jones decides to return to fighting when it's all said and done.
Jones hasn't made any public statement outside of a lone Twitter comment after being arrested and released on $2,500 bond:
