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Tuesday, Dec 30, 2014

Report: Jon Jones Apologizes to Nike, Says Company Did Not Drop Him After Brawl With Daniel Cormier

Jon Jones

By FCF Staff

Jon Jones told the Nevada State Athletic Commission recently that his well documented, brawl with Daniel Cormier cost him his sponsorship deal with Nike, but now the UFC champion has relayed that wasn’t the case.

When the light-heavyweight appeared at a NSAC disciplinary hearing in September, Jones claimed that Nike had elected to drop him after the incident, which quickly made headlines. In addition, his representatives noted that because of this, Jones had lost out on a deal that was valued at “over six figures” annually.

In a recent medial call to promote this Saturday’s fight with Cormier, however, Jones reportedly stated the following (quote via MMA Junkie.com):

“When I was in front of the commission, I definitely worded it wrong,” Jones said. “Nike did not drop me because of that fight. And I kind of owe an apology to Nike for saying that they dropped me because of the fight. They actually didn’t.”

According to the 27 year-old fighter, Nike contacted Jones before the August brawl, and relayed they would not be focusing as much on MMA as once planned. According to Jones, because the company wasn’t moving forward with as many MMA related campaigns for him, he informed Nike that he would not be signing on for a third year. Then, the incident with Cormier happened, and the parties elected to part ways then.

Jones was fined $50,000 for his part in the brawl and was ordered to perform 40 hours of community service. It remains to be seen if the NSAC will review Jones’ new statements regarding his Nike deal.

UFC 182 will take place January 3rd, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

 

posted by FCF Staff @ 11:21 am
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