Jon Jones was hit with a large fine. | Photo: Mike Sloan/Sherdog.com
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was fined $50,000 by the Nevada Athletic Commission for his part in a brawl with Daniel Cormier on Aug. 4.
The altercation between Jones and Cormier occurred during a media day event in Las Vegas to promote their previously scheduled matchup at UFC 178. The two combatants went head-to-head while posing for photographers, and Cormier shoved the champion. “Bones” responded, going after Cormier and shoving UFC Senior Director of Public Relations Dave Sholler into the backdrop during the skirmish.
Jones was contrite during Tuesday’s proceedings, apologizing for his actions while suggesting that he could use his influence to help convey a positive message, which ultimately may have led to the NAC assigning him community service. The Jackson-Wink MMA representative also indicated that the incident cost him a deal with Nike as well as another potentially lucrative sponsor that he declined to name.
“40 hours of community service in Vegas with a fight coming up is the only thing that really concerns me,” Jones wrote via Twitter. “The fact that this needs to be completed before the fight is definitely going to have effect on my camp. I respect [the] commission though.
“I am excited I get to work with kids, thought that part is a blessing in disguise. I’ll give them my best.”
While the 205-pound title bout was originally scheduled for Saturday’s UFC 178 card, Jones suffered a knee injury in training and was forced to undergo surgery. As a result, Jones and Cormier will now square off at UFC 182 on Jan. 3.