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Nicolas Atkin

This UFC 266 fight week has been something of a throwback for MMA fans.
We’re gearing up to watch the iconic Nick Diaz step into the Octagon once again after more than six and a half years away – a sight most of us never thought we would witness.
We’ve also been treated to the legendary former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre finally going into the Hall of Fame.
And then, of course, the MMA world woke up to familiar headlines on Friday morning, after Jon Jones got himself in trouble with the law following the Class of 2020 induction ceremony in Las Vegas.


Some things never change in mixed martial arts.
It seems barely a year can go by without former UFC light heavyweight champion Jones generating negative headlines for his transgressions outside the cage.
UFC 266: Nick Diaz is back, and Lawler rematch can’t fail to entertain
His latest misdemeanour? Being arrested and charged with battery domestic violence, and injuring or tampering with a vehicle, in the early hours of Friday morning.
The 34-year-old American (26-1, one no contest) had seemed in good spirits speaking to media – including the Post – on the red carpet at the Park MGM, ironically recalling a past wild night out with St-Pierre.
“I‘m not sure where we were but we were pulling up to a club and someone was asking, ‘You here to party with Georges St-Pierre?’” Jones recalled.


“I really didn’t know Georges was right there. When I did see him, I was so happy to see him and we had a crazy night. We got pretty wild. I did – Georges was being Georges. But I got a little crazy.”
“Bones” had also been honoured with an induction into the Hall of Fame’s fight wing on Thursday, for his legendary first battle with Alexander Gustafsson eight years ago.
But like clockwork, his latest notable achievement was swiftly followed by a disappointing personal incident. Sadly, never has someone with so much natural ability in this sport so frequently tried to squander it all.

Jones’ talent is undeniable – it is hard to keep count of all the records he has collected since debuting in the UFC in 2008, including having the most successful title defences (11) and most wins in UFC title fights (14).
The list goes on, but it is equally hard to keep count of all the second chances the UFC has given him.
Before vacating the belt in August 2020 for a long-awaited move up to heavyweight, Jones had lost his title three times as a result of disciplinary action, failing several drugs tests and being arrested multiple times.

But whereas Jones used to get special treatment – he saw his title rematch with Gustafsson in December 2018 moved from Las Vegas to Inglewood, California just days before the event, after returning a drug-testing abnormality – he might find himself out of luck this time.
Jones has spent the last year pricing himself out of a heavyweight super fight with champion Francis Ngannou – something which has not endeared him to the UFC’s matchmakers, given their leniency towards him over the years.
He might have now lost some significant bargaining power after his latest transgression, and UFC boss Dana White seems to finally be fed up with having to defend his former golden boy.

“It’s hard to bring this guy to Las Vegas for any reason,” White told reporters on Friday. “This city is not good for Jon Jones. And here we are again.
“It’s like it’s not even shocking any more. When we bring him here, it’s almost expected. Can’t even get him into Las Vegas for less than 12 hours to induct him into the Hall of Fame. It’s a problem. This guy’s got a lot of demons, man – a lot of demons.”
While Conor McGregor has also remained in the media spotlight for some negative antics in his personal life, the UFC has always been happy to look the other way when it comes to booking their signature superstar, who still commands pay-per-view buy rates in the millions, and draws eye-watering live gates.

Jones, though, has never been as big a star, and arguably his drawing power dwindles with every passing day that he remains in a stand-off with the UFC.
There will only be one winner there, as there always is, and the UFC could very well use this latest incident to further lowball Jones, which could put a return to the Octagon even further away.


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Jon Jones could finally find himself out of second chances as Dana White admits ‘this guy’s got a lot of demons’

Jon Jones reacts as he speaks during a news conference in Las Vegas in 2016, following an announcement that he had been suspended for a doping violation. Photo: AP

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2019, file photo, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones attends a news conference for the UFC 235 mixed martial arts event in Las Vegas. Former mixed martial arts champion Jones was jailed in Las Vegas early Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, after a predawn incident at Caesars Palace that police said led to his arrest on charges of domestic battery and felony damaging a vehicle. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Jon Jones celebrates after his win against Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight mixed martial arts title bout at UFC 235, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 29: (R-L) Jon Jones knocks out Daniel Cormier during the UFC 214 event at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Jon Jones, left, delivers a kick to Dominick Reyes, right, during a light heavyweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 247 Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

UFC: Jon Jones arrested, charged with battery domestic violence after Hall of Fame induction

Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones attends a news conference for UFC 235. Photo: AP

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Dominick Reyes and Jon Jones in their UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout during UFC 247 at Toyota Center on February 08, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC 266: the Nick Diaz show is back, and his Robbie Lawler rematch surely can’t fail to entertain

Nick Diaz poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 266, Photo: AP

—ONE TIME USE ONLY, NO ARCHIVES— LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 31: (R-L) Nick Diaz punches Anderson Silva in their middleweight bout during the UFC 183 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Nick Diaz poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session on September 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Nick Diaz, left, and Robbie Lawler pose during a ceremonial weigh-in for a UFC 266 mixed martial arts bout Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Las Vegas. The two are scheduled to fight in a middleweight bout Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UFC 266: Alex Volkanovski angry at ‘unprofessional’ Brian Ortega as featherweight title fight gets heated

Alex Volkanovski and Brian Ortega meet face to face as UFC president Dana White separates them during weigh-ins for UFC 266. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Volkanovski poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for a UFC 266 mixed martial arts bout Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Las Vegas. Volkanovski is scheduled to fight Brian Ortega in a featherweight title bout Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Brian Ortega poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for a UFC 266 mixed martial arts bout Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Las Vegas. Ortega is scheduled to fight Alexander Volkanovski in a featherweight title bout Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UFC 266: Jessica Andrade wants a crack at winner of Rose Namajunas vs Zhang Weili rematch

Jessica Andrade punches Rose Namajunas in their strawweight rematch at UFC 251. Photo: USA Today

Zhang Weili celebrates her win

July 12, 2020; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Rose Namajunas celebrates after her split-decision victory over Jessica Andrade of Brazil in their strawweight fight during the UFC 251 event at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 12, 2020 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports

JACKSONVILLE, FL - APRIL 24: Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgystan throws Jessica Andrade of Brazil during the Womens Flyweight Title bout of UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 24, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. Alex Menendez/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC boss Dana White says Demetrious Johnson vs Rodtang in ONE Championship is ‘weird’ and ‘won’t work’

Demetrious Johnson (left) will face Rodtang Jitmuangnon on December 5 in Singapore. Photo: ONE Championship

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 15: Demetrious Johnson (top) takes down Wilson Reis (bottom) during their Flyweight Championship bout on UFC Fight Night at the Sprint Center on April 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Former champ arrested and charged with battery domestic violence after Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas – and it could cost him
‘It’s like it’s not even shocking any more. When we bring him here, it’s almost expected,’ UFC president White says



UFC president Dana White admits ‘this guy’s got a lot of demons’ after former light heavyweight champion is arrested – again – in Las Vegas.


Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

The Takedown