Jon Jones has found himself on the wrong side of the law once again after being ticketed for drag racing last week. But, along with a tirade of criticism from many fans and fighters, fellow UFC veteran Michael Bisping has come to the former light heavyweight champ’s defense.
“It was a traffic violation. He’s made some mishaps, shall we call them, but he paid his dues,” Bisping said on the Three Amigos Podcast. “I mean, you can’t hold this over someone forever, and now, of course, this policeman is saying that he was drag racing, but I watched the video and I just don’t know. It’s a tricky one.”
Video footage of Jones being ticketed was released by Albuquerque Police Department earlier this week. Jones was arrested yesterday morning due to the offence violating the terms of his probation, which is being served as the result of a hit-and-run incident last year. The former 205lb champ has maintained he is innocent in regard to this latest charge.
“I kind of feel bad for the guy,” Bisping added. “I feel like maybe it’s escalating out of control a little bit, a mountain being made out of a molehill. He does have bad luck, and bad luck is often the result of bad decisions, and I guess, at the end of the day, he’s only got himself to blame, but I am somewhat sympathetic towards his plight.”
This week’s arrest marks the latest in a string of legal issues for Jones, which includes a DUI charge back in 2012. But, although he may not be able to relate as he has no history of legal issues himself during his time with the UFC, Bisping – no stranger to controversy – remains sympathetic towards Jones.
“He sort of does have a target on his back,” Bisping continued. “He’s had a history of run-ins with the law and he was the long reigning light heavyweight champion of the world. That’s a big title, so when you get involved in some scandals, you get arrested, you make the news, you’re gonna have a target on your back. People are looking for him to mess up.
“He’s young, rich and famous and making bad decisions. That’s why I’m somewhat sympathetic. I don’t think he’s a bad person. I don’t think he’s going out there meaning to break the law. He’s not meaning to hurt anybody. We all make mistakes. I’ve made mistakes and I still make them. He’s just very unlucky and he keeps getting caught making them. As I said, I do feel for the guy a little bit.”