Jon Jones Removed From UFC

The news keeps getting worse for now-former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, as Reebok has terminated its endorsement contract with him, effective immediately.Jon Jones has been stripped of the UFC light heavyweight title and suspended indefinitely by the organization, UFC President Dana White announced on Tuesday.

If the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s recent course of action is any indication, Jon Jones might not be setting foot in the Octagon for quite some time.Less than 24 hours after the Las Vegas-based promotion stripped Jones of his light heavyweight title and suspended him indefinitely, “Bones” is nowhere to be found on the UFC’s pound-for-pound and light heavyweight rankings.

The Jackson-Wink MMA standout was previously No. 1 in both UFC.com polls prior to his arrest in connection to a felony hit-and-run charge in Albuquerque, N.M. As a result, Jose Aldo is No. 1 in the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings. Meanwhile, no champion is listed at 205 pounds, but Anthony Johnson, who now faces Daniel Cormier for light heavyweight gold at UFC 187, holds steady atop the light heavyweight rankings.

Meanwhile, Anderson Silva, who has been temporarily suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission for two failed drug tests in relation to UFC 183, remains in both the organization’s pound-for-pound and middleweight rankings. Silva faces likely further discipline from the NAC at a future hearing.


Jones was charged with fleeing the scene of an accident early Sunday morning. The fighter allegedly ran a red light and hit another car driven by a pregnant woman. The woman sustained a broken arm as a result of the crash. Jones allegedly fled the scene on foot before returning to grab cash from his rented Buick SUV and leaving again.

Jones was identified by an off-duty police officer. A pipe containing marijuana was found when Albuquerque police searched Jones’ car. Authorities were unable to make contact with Jones for more than 24 hours until a warrant was issued for his arrest on Monday afternoon. He turned himself in on Monday night and was briefly held at the Bernalillo Country Metro Detention Center before posting $2,500 bail.Jones appeared in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court on Tuesday but did not enter a plea. A second court appearance has not been set.