Jon Jones’ manager says fighter might never compete again

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was charged with a felony after leaving the scene of a car crash last week, and his manager said Monday there’s a chance the 27-year-old may never compete in the octagon again.

Malki Kawa, Jones’ manager, said Jones should stay focused on himself and not his mixed-martial arts career.

“It could very well be the last time we’ve seen Jon Jones in the Octagon,” said Kawa in an interview with MMAFighting.com. “I think Jon Jones is going to focus on Jon Jones. I think he’s going to take the time to do whatever he’s got to 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.”

Following his arrest, UFC announced that Jones had violated its athlete code of conduct policy and stripped him of his light heavyweight belt. Kawa hinted the move may have potentially soured Jones’ desire to compete.

“If he ever doesn’t come back to the sport, it’s because he doesn’t want to come back to the sport,” Kawa said. “If it was because of too much pressure? Could be. If it’s because of the belt? Could be. If it’s because the competition is too much, it could be. Whatever he decides is the reason why he won’t come back to the sport, but it’ll be solely on him.

“Everything that’s Jon Jones’ is Jon Jones’. The good, the bad and the ugly.”

Jones was arrested by Albuquerque police on April 28 for alleged involvement in a hit-and-run on April 26.

According to the police report, an off-duty officer who witnessed the crash said Jones, who was driving a sport utility vehicle, ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle. Jones then ran away from the scene only to return a short time later to retrieve cash from the SUV before fleeing again.

A pregnant woman, who was in the other vehicle, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Police reported they found a pipe with marijuana in the SUV being driven by Jones in addition to rental car documents.

Jones (21-1) was scheduled to fight Anthony Johnson (19-4) at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23. Johnson will now fight Daniel Cormier for the vacant light heavyweight crown.