“I Have Anxiety” : Jon Jones Cites Mental Health Issues For His Arrest

Jon Jones and controversies seem to go hand in hand. The UFC light-heavyweight champion recently arrested on four counts of misdemeanor charges, including DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container of alcohol and no insurance.

Jon Jones ‘Strikes’ again

Jon Jones has had previous run-ins with the law. He was charged with DWI back in 2012, and in 2015, he was stripped of his title after a hit-and-run accident involving a pregnant woman. The recent incident has tarnished the fighter’s reputation further.

In the Bodycam footage of Officer Brian Johnson, Jones was apparently anxious and distraught. The fighter, clearly intoxicated, was unable to understand most of the questions posed by the Officer Johnson. Jones claimed he had short-term memory loss, ADD and anxiety, amongst a host of other mental illnesses. The issues, he stated, stemmed from multiple injuries to the head. The fighter, on the verge of tears, repeated “I have anxiety” multiple times.

One cannot help but feel a certain pity for Jones. The former UFC champ had seen a turnaround of his fortunes after a dark past. Unfortunately, this controversy has put a halt to his progress yet again.

Mental health is an important topic in combat sports. Constant trash-talking, fighting, and the need to upend one’s opponent constantly puts a fair amount of pressure on the fighters. Moreover, brain damage issues such as CTE have cropped up repeatedly amongst big stars, with the most recent being Tony Ferguson.

Despite a history of misdemeanors and controversy inside the octagon over the past few years, we can only hope Jon ‘Bones’ Jones straightens up his act. His mental health issues notwithstanding, the fighter deserves a fair chance to prove himself in the octagon.

What are your opinions on Jones’s latest controversy? Let us know in the comments below.

READ: “What a B**ch” – Former Teammate Blasts Jon Jones Following Arrest