UFC: Jon Jones heavily involved in Holly Holm’s training

Jon Jones, the disgraced former former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight king, is keeping his mind off the indefinite suspension by helping his fellow fighters achieve their ultimate goal of reaching Octagon glory.

The former pound-for-pound king is reportedly involved heavily in the training regimen of women’s bantamweight hopeful Holly Holm, the latest challenger in line opposite undefeated bantamweight queen bee Ronda Rousey. Holm is scheduled to rumble with Rousey in Melbourne, Australia for UFC 193 on Nov. 15 and Jones' presence in the corner has been welcomed with open arms by her coaches.

No less than the Holm’s coach in Brandon Gibson confirmed the development that “Bones” has been occasionally present in the gym to lend a helping hand.

"Jon is very creative and [Mike] Winkeljohn has been grooming Holly since she was a teenager," Gibson told MMA Mania. "I think Jon just brings a different perspective and a different view, whether it's technically or the mental aspect of it, to help prepare our sister for this championship fight and to take this title."

Without any firm time table for his return, Jones has turned his attention to his co-fighters at the Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In fact, some of the credit for the first round victory of Andrei Arlovsky over Travis Browne at UFC 187 in May can be given to Jones, who extended the effort at height of his controversial hit-and-run incident.

The famously vocal Jones has been mum about the said controversy, the latest in a string of headline hugging incidents that put him in a bad light. After his win over bitter rival Daniel Cormier at the start of the year, Jones victory was questioned after he tested positive for cocaine metabolites. He underwent a short-stint in a rehabilitation program which many observed as a publicity stunt of the UFC.

Despite the developments, the UFC still slated him opposite Anthony “Rumble” Johnson for a summer fight date only to be kept out of the card with the hit-and-run incident which also led to his indefinite suspension and the stripping of his long-held light heavyweight belt. Jones now awaits the decision of the Bernalilo County district attorney who will determine if he will be charged with felony for departing the scene of the accident, an offence which can be brought before a grand jury. A pregnant woman who broke her arm in the accident was allegedly hit by Jones’ car which fled the scene.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.