Malki Kawa, renowned manager of one Jon “Bones” Jones, told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s MMA Hour that there’s a real possibility (50% chance) his client may never fight again.
Kawa’s words (via MMAFighting.com):
“It could very well be the last time we’ve seen Jon Jones in the Octagon. I think Jon Jones is gonna focus on Jon Jones. I think he’s gonna take the time to do whatever he’s gotta do. And if it’s the last time we’ve seen him fight, it’s the last time we’ve seen him fight. And I’m OK with that.”
“What I can just tell you and you guys can read between the lines is that I think every athlete comes to a point and it’s not just Jon Jones. I’ve had other guys when they look in the mirror one day, they realize that a lot of it maybe is just sometimes too much. It’s just too much. If you don’t fight a guy on seven days notice, you’re trash. If you stop a mugger, you’re a great guy, thanks so much. Now you’re the new world champion, you have to do all these interviews. There’s so much that goes into it. It’s not just him, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. You see it with GSP, you see it with Anderson.”
“If this is the last time we’ve ever seen him fight and it very well may be, then it’s because of a decision he’s decided to make. It won’t be because of something you guys are perceiving to be a problem. It won’t be because of any of the negative headlines of the positive things he’s done. It’s just because he feels he’s had it. Maybe that’s it.”
Why would Jon Jones not fight again? Embarrassment? Feeling the UFC wronged him by stripping him of his title? Losing his Reebok sponsorship (and the Nike sponsorship before that)? Those would be reasons enough to probably stop a lot of people from pursuing their goals. But we’re talking about the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. I can’t imagine he will let this situation beat him. What would Jones do if he didn’t fight? Can you see him sitting at a desk somewhere?
I imagine Jones will fight again.
Joe Rogan brought up on a recent podcast that these extreme outbursts from Jones could be the result of brain trauma. That’s at least something to be considered. The UFC did the right thing by stripping him of his title — although Malki Kawa brought up the point the public shouldn’t be so quick to judge Jones until he has his day in court. Well, let’s be honest. First of all, the court and legal system in this country is pretty damn slow. So most people aren’t going to wait to form an opinion, especially given the details of this case. You can’t go around crashing into pregnant women, injuring them and fleeing the scene and hiding out for a day or two and expect public sympathy. Especially considering Jones’s track record with the law, and then there’s that whole cocaine thing.
As a fighter, he’s the best we’ve ever seen. As a human being, we’ve seen far worse.