Volkan Oezdemir (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Since Jon Jones was arrested again last month, the light-heavyweight champ has been widely criticized by fans, observers and fighters. But, Volkan Oezdemir says he won’t be piling on the controversial fighter.

Jones recently reached a plea deal with authorities, after he was arrested in March and charged with driving under the influence, negligent use of a firearm and possession of an open container. The renowned fighter was also arrested for driving under the influence in 2012, and in 2015, he was arrested in connection to a hit-and-run incident, which broke the arm of a pregnant woman.

More recently, Oezdemir spoke to MMA Junkie. While talking about Jones’ well documented issues with the law, he said this.

“Every time there’s something coming up, and some people hit me up and send me links and stuff like that, and they’re like, ‘Oh, once again.’ But who cares? For me, if he’s able to compete, everything is good with him, then it’s fine. I don’t want to be the one pointing the finger at … I don’t want to be talking about somebody like that in their down moment. But, yeah, I think he’s gonna be competing.

“Some people were talking about stripping him of the title, but I think this has nothing to do with it, and I think of course he deserves the title, because he’s the legitimate champion and obviously being the champion, he has to defend it. So hopefully we will see him fight again this year.”

Oezdemir is coming off a split decision win over Aleksandar Rakic in December, which moved the 30-year-old’s record to 17-4.