The Curious
Case of Jon Jones
When it comes to busts in sports, we think
of the NFL and NBA drafts, not so much MLB drafts because we focus more on
trades in Baseball. In the NFL we see young kids being drafted in the first
round, with the expectations of turning an entire franchise around right away.
Guys like Peyton Manning and Cam Newton (more modern examples) have been able
to do just that, while guys like Ryan Leaf (once again a more modern example)
completely flounder in their attempts to succeed. It could just be that we are expecting
so much out of these kids so quickly, that they just cannot bear the weight of
all of our hopes and dreams, nor should we expect them to.
In MMA there has also been the “Golden Kids” that were pegged to be stars right from the onset. Some of these guys, like a GSP, Cain Velasquez, and Vitor Belfort, were able to live up of the hype, at least for the most part. There have also been the blue chip busts that have come through the sport as well; guys like Rory MacDonald, Brandon Vera, and Hector Lombard, were filled with promise and potential, but in the end could not fully live up to those expectations.
Now I am not here to discuss the differences and similarities in any of these fighters, but to bring up my ultimate point. Is Jon Jones considered a bust, if this drug test is indeed a failure? Jones came on to the scene with a LOAD of promise and potential. The man had the size and length to be dominate, and the creativity in strikes that makes any promoter salivate at the thought of him working for them. He was pegged as the next HUGE thing (which is even larger than big) and within no time would be challenging for a title. Much like Peyton Manning, all the physical tools were there, the coaching was there, and the mindset was there. The crazy part is…..he succeeded in living up to that potential. Hell he exceeded many of our expectations coming out of the gate. He was not just beating opponents and wining fights, but he was doing it in a brutal fashion. Just a couple years into his UFC run, we was given a title shot against then champion Shogun Rua. This fight was yet another one sided beat down delivered by Jones.
Jones would go on to make defenses of his title, one opponent after another falling to his overpowering skill and size. Jones closed in on the consecutive Light Heavyweight title defense record, and showed no signs of slowing down. Then in 2015, things started to take a downward spiral for the champ. He had the title stripped off him for the first time when he was accused of a hit and run on a pregnant woman. Jones would go on to fail multiple drug test, to include recreational drugs and PEDs. This lead to a second stripping of his regained title. Recently Jones has returned once again to the top of the mountain after returning from yet another suspension. He KO’d rival, Daniel Cormier, which finally gave a decisive victory in this long-standing rivalry. Unfortunately, Jones was not able to bask in the limelight for too long, as a second USADA failed test was announced. Now there is still some time for his name to be cleared in this particular incident, but should he ever be forgiven?
The UFC is in a tough position for sure. Jones is a known draw, maybe not on the level of previous champs, but Jones does have a strong name. The question though is, when is enough? Jones has been given the world in MMA, but has not shown an ability to handle the spotlight. Dana White continues to give this kid one chance after another, but with each redemption story, comes another disappointment. I am in the camp of cutting ties with this divisive personality, as there seems to be more baggage than profit that comes with it. I was once a big fan of Jones, as he came on to the scene as a humble yet hungry fighter, clawing his way to the top. Along the way however, he became a snarky, angry, and uncontrollable figure.
We all love a comeback story, but unfortunately, I do not see any sustained comeback in this man’s future. Which leads to one of the biggest busts in MMA history. Not on an in ring level, but on a self- destructive level. Guy’s like Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders were able to finally take control of their off the field demons. Let us just hope Jones can do the same.
- Kenneth Aucoin
In MMA there has also been the “Golden Kids” that were pegged to be stars right from the onset. Some of these guys, like a GSP, Cain Velasquez, and Vitor Belfort, were able to live up of the hype, at least for the most part. There have also been the blue chip busts that have come through the sport as well; guys like Rory MacDonald, Brandon Vera, and Hector Lombard, were filled with promise and potential, but in the end could not fully live up to those expectations.
Now I am not here to discuss the differences and similarities in any of these fighters, but to bring up my ultimate point. Is Jon Jones considered a bust, if this drug test is indeed a failure? Jones came on to the scene with a LOAD of promise and potential. The man had the size and length to be dominate, and the creativity in strikes that makes any promoter salivate at the thought of him working for them. He was pegged as the next HUGE thing (which is even larger than big) and within no time would be challenging for a title. Much like Peyton Manning, all the physical tools were there, the coaching was there, and the mindset was there. The crazy part is…..he succeeded in living up to that potential. Hell he exceeded many of our expectations coming out of the gate. He was not just beating opponents and wining fights, but he was doing it in a brutal fashion. Just a couple years into his UFC run, we was given a title shot against then champion Shogun Rua. This fight was yet another one sided beat down delivered by Jones.
Jones would go on to make defenses of his title, one opponent after another falling to his overpowering skill and size. Jones closed in on the consecutive Light Heavyweight title defense record, and showed no signs of slowing down. Then in 2015, things started to take a downward spiral for the champ. He had the title stripped off him for the first time when he was accused of a hit and run on a pregnant woman. Jones would go on to fail multiple drug test, to include recreational drugs and PEDs. This lead to a second stripping of his regained title. Recently Jones has returned once again to the top of the mountain after returning from yet another suspension. He KO’d rival, Daniel Cormier, which finally gave a decisive victory in this long-standing rivalry. Unfortunately, Jones was not able to bask in the limelight for too long, as a second USADA failed test was announced. Now there is still some time for his name to be cleared in this particular incident, but should he ever be forgiven?
The UFC is in a tough position for sure. Jones is a known draw, maybe not on the level of previous champs, but Jones does have a strong name. The question though is, when is enough? Jones has been given the world in MMA, but has not shown an ability to handle the spotlight. Dana White continues to give this kid one chance after another, but with each redemption story, comes another disappointment. I am in the camp of cutting ties with this divisive personality, as there seems to be more baggage than profit that comes with it. I was once a big fan of Jones, as he came on to the scene as a humble yet hungry fighter, clawing his way to the top. Along the way however, he became a snarky, angry, and uncontrollable figure.
We all love a comeback story, but unfortunately, I do not see any sustained comeback in this man’s future. Which leads to one of the biggest busts in MMA history. Not on an in ring level, but on a self- destructive level. Guy’s like Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders were able to finally take control of their off the field demons. Let us just hope Jones can do the same.
- Kenneth Aucoin
@CaEWrestling
@KennyOakSports
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