Walker: Jones Should Be Stripped Of Light Heavyweight Title
While fighters don’t have a say on the matter, some believe the UFC should step in when it comes to Jon Jones.
Light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker has joined in on the conversation on stripping Jones of the Light Heavyweight Title following his most recent arrest. Speaking to LowKick MMA, Walker (17-5) brought up the idea. He even had a creative way to handle the situation.
“If they take the title from him, another two challengers should go for the belt and it would be good for the light heavyweight division,” Walker stated. “Whoever gets the belt can fight against Jones next, it’s going to be good.”
Jones (26-1, 1NC) was arrested last month for aggravated DWI, negligent use of a weapon and possession of an open container. There were traces of marijuana in his car, as well as a half-drunken bottle and a gun, which was fired off per reports. With a bond arraignment court date set for April 9, Jones pled guilty and agreed to be placed under a type of house arrest. He will be required to complete community service, as well as paying hefty fines. It is just the latest of incidents surrounding Jones outside of the octagon.
Walker joins Thiago Santos as those who believe others should fight for the title. Santos lost to Jones at UFC 239 following a close contest, in which he tore his left LCL, PCL, MCL and meniscus. He suggested Dominick Reyes, who also lost to Jones in a close contest, should fight him for the vacant title. On the other side, Glover Teixeira has recommenced Jones be suspended for a year.
Walker believes it is time something is done before any other controversy with Jones happens.
“I’m no God to judge nobody but I think it’s a good idea to do that (strip Jones) because it’s going to give other fighters the chance to get the belt, and to help their life and be somebody, to be a champion,” Walker went on to say. “If Jon Jones wants to keep his belt, he can just stop doing sh*t and he can defend the belt properly.”