Thomas Almeida: Ending up like Jon Jones is my biggest fear
There was a time when former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones served only as inspiration for other young, top prospects. Jones, after all, stormed through the UFC and became the promotion's youngest-ever champion, beating some of the best fighters in history, defending the belt and scoring big-money endorsement deals.
Now, after multiple run-ins with the law, the loss of a championship bout, his title, an indefinite suspension and yet another shoe endorsement deal gone, Jones is a cautionary tale to young prospects like undefeated bantamweight Thomas Almeida.
"That's unfortunate," Almeida recently told Guilherme Cruz, regarding Jones' situation.
"You need a good head. It's easy to lose yourself with money."
Almeida, who won separate $50,000 bonus checks within the past year after his first two UFC bouts -- both rousing wins -- says that ending up like Jones is a concern. "That's my biggest fear," he continued.
"I'm a grounded man, a family guy. So, I will just save my money and help my family."
The Brazilian has earlier said he had grand plans for his initial UFC winnings but admitted that he only said that in jest. "I said at the press conference that I was going to buy a big house, but I was just joking," he said.
In fact, Almeida as of yet hasn't spent much money. "I have no plans for this money yet," he claimed.
"I might invest in things I need, help those who need help, but I don't plan on using this money yet."
It is a smart approach for the 23-year-old. He knows that these are heady times, and if he wants them to keep rolling, he needs to concentrate on what's important.
"It's time to make money, but stay focused," he concluded.
"I don't want to do anything crazy. Let's keep it in the bank," he said, laughing.
