MMA Community Reacts To Jon Jones Entering Drug Rehab Facility
Just a few days being on top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mountain, Jon Jones is sent crashing back to earth after he tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite in cocaine during the Dec. 4 drug testing conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. While the said substance is not in the list of the banned "out of competition" substances, still, the current UFC light heavyweight champion and his camp took matters seriously and announced that Jones has entered a rehabilitation facility.
"With the support of my family, I have entered into a drug treatment facility. I want to apologize to my fiancée, my children, as well as my mother, father, and brothers for the mistake that I made. I also want to apologize to the UFC, my coaches, my sponsors and equally important to my fans. I am taking this treatment program very seriously. Therefore, at this time my family and I would appreciate privacy," Jones said in an official statement sent by his attorneys to Yahoo Sports.
The bombshell has rocked the mixed martial arts world and expectedly all eyes were on the reaction of his bitter rival and recently disposed opponent, Daniel Cormier. However, the former undefeated wrestler took the gentlemanly route and wished his rival good luck and hopes he gets his act together as a lot of people look up to "Bones."
The UFC and its President Dana White also voiced their show of support for the fallen from grace champ stating that they were disappointed with the development but lauded the courageous efforts of the champion to reform himself. White himself assured Jones that he has a UFC family to come back to and stated his confidence in the current king of the UFC to return as the champion that he truly is.
Other personalities in the MMA and the social media were not too kind as Cormier and White as a mix of disappointment, shock and sympathy flooded Twitter.
Just say no to nose clams
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) January 6, 2015
Life is a learning experience. Support to my bro @JonnyBones. Just a WAKE UP call from God. #BonesStrong #UFC
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 6, 2015
I'll make fun of people who take steroids but I feel bad when I find out someone has a coke problem. Hope JBJ gets help.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) January 6, 2015