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Is Jon Jones the UFC's Forgotten King?
A king's throne is a sacred and esteemed place to call home.
Suitors often come to grovel, while naysayers can be found hatching plans to overthrow the rule.
In mixed martial arts, a sport that crowns its divisional kings on the heels of perfected violence and destruction, this law-driven system of order forever rings true. But in a world that recognizes occupants of the throne more than any other warm-blooded warrior in existence, a forgotten king is the most somber soul of all.
Unfortunately, this is the current reality of former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones after being arrested for an alleged hit-and-run back in April.
Jones was subsequently stripped of his 205-pound belt and put in the UFC's doghouse. The promotion's decision was completely understandable, but it has essentially cost the MMA world its most sovereign emperor. One who has been left to clean sweaty gym mats in the time being.
No matter how you spin it, the 28-year-old still remains the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. He has always deserved that billing and will continue to do so, as long as his return to the Octagon is a likely possibility. Sort of like when Michael Jordan left a legendary basketball career behind in 1993 to strike out in Double-AA baseball.
The absence of Jones has certainly cleared a path for budding UFC champions like Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor to evolve into the massive superstars that they are today. While their rise to international promise was all but imminent, Rousey and McGregor have stepped up to become the UFC's two biggest tickets within the past few months.
This financially charged growth has in turn masked the return of Jones. Whether it be a decreased level of media coverage or a lack of acknowledgement from fans that live by the “what have you done for me lately” motto, the former light heavyweight kingpin is bordering MMA obscurity.
While it's refreshing to know that the biggest promotion in the world can suffice for the loss of its greatest entity, it's alarming to see Jones’ stock plummet like a skydiving sack of potatoes. But whatever has been said, or will be said, the UFC is a better organization with him by its side.
For example, Jones' last Octagon appearance opposite current champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 produced a significant total of 800,000 pay-per-view buys, despite Donald Cerrone vs. Myles Jury serving as the co-main event. That had been the biggest PPV for the UFC since Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva II at UFC 168.
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On the other hand, when Cormier fought Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at UFC 187 to determine a new light heavyweight champion for the first time in nearly four years, the event only did 375,000 buys. While people will point out the fact that Jones vs. Cormier was simply the better match-up, UFC 187 did have a co-main event featuring Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort. Not to mention Cerrone was also part of the main card.
It has never been a secret that the New York native can sell fights, but the 205-pound roster is certainly feeling the aftershock, especially when you consider Jones already defeated the current titleholder. Additionally, the lack of Jones has created a trickle down effect for guys like Alexander Gustafsson, who will now fight Cormier at UFC 192 coming off a first-round TKO loss to Johnson.
It's a rare sight when a fighter is rewarded with a title shot after decisively losing, but the options for the UFC and matchmaker Joe Silva are slimming by the day.
So why is Jones, in light of all of these negative ramifications, a forgotten king in the majority of eyes?
Truth be told, people don't want to be attached to unlawful acts of criminal behavior. They will look to detach themselves as quickly as possible and reattach their loyalty to burgeoning names like “Rowdy” or “Notorious.” It's a fail-proof system for those who do not believe in second chances, but a nonsensical approach that often puts the final nail in the coffin.
In Jones' case, the dark cloud surrounding his unforgotten dominance and past promotional bravado will soon thin. A video recently surfaced on Cerrone's Youtube channel showcasing a light training session for “Bones.”
It may not signify a near return for the Greg Jackson product, but it's a step in the right direction for the UFC's estranged king.
(Follow Daniel Hiergesell @DH_MMA on Twitter)
