Jon Jones is one of the most talented MMA fighters in history, but his actions outside the Octagon have held him back.
He discussed some of his past actions Thursday on The Joe Rogan Experience (h/t Evan Bell of BJPenn.com):
I had this crazy thing that I would do where I would party one week before every fight. And I did it throughout my whole career. And it was stupid, but it was this mental crutch that I had.
I literally would, one week before every fight, I would go out and I would get blacked out wasted. And my logic was, if this guy were to beat me somehow, I can look myself in the mirror and say, the reason I lost is because I got hammered the week before the fight.
His partying hasn't seemed to affect his fighting as he's accumulated a 22-1 career record, with his only loss coming via disqualification. He held the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship for four-plus years.
On the other hand, his actions have created issues in his life.
In 2015, Jones tested positive for cocaine before checking himself into a rehab center. Later that year, he was stripped of his title and suspended because of his involvement in a hit-and-run, losing multiple endorsement deals in the process.
After returning to the Octagon and winning an interim title, he was then suspended for one year because of a failed drug test in July. He was again stripped of his championship belt in November.
The 29-year-old has not competed since an April win against Ovince Saint Preux.
