RANT: The Jones-Cormier Problem And What Must Be Done

By now, I'm sure many of you have heard that the main event of UFC 178 will see Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones defend the title against the undefeated Daniel Cormier. And I'm sure you've heard everyone give opinions as to who will win and why.

However, I am also sure many of you have heard about just how ugly things have gotten between the two men leading up to the fight, starting with the brawl at a publicity event and continuing after a recent SportsCenter interview when the mics were left running. The words and language got heated to the point of death threats. You did not read that wrong. DEATH THREATS.

This is ridiculous.

I don't think it is a stretch to say that this kind of behavior is entirely unacceptable in mixed martial arts. The sport has done everything possible over the years to improve its image, yet things like this are nothing short of a stain on the industry, not to mention how bad it makes those involved look.

I am reminded of the incident that caused CBS to drop Strikeforce. By that I mean the brawl that took place at the end of Strikeforce: Nashville where Jason "Mayhem" Miller was attacked by members of Jake Shields' camp, including the Diaz brothers. When Gus "Worst Commentator In All Of Sports Ever" Johnson declared ON-AIR "These things happen in MMA," the sport's reputation took an ugly blow. Because not are these things NOT supposed to happen in MMA, they rarely happen when they do.

Which is why the Nevada State Athletic Commision, which will be overseeing the UFC 178 event, and UFC President Dana White need to send a clear message that this kind of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated.

Here is my proposal to that end: Both Jones and Cormier should be fined twenty percent of their regular earnings for the fight. The winner should also be denied his bonus for winning, and neither man should be allowed to be eligible for bonuses for either Performance Of The Night or Fight Of The Night. This is a lot of money we are talking about, but I feel that is the action that is needed.

These things are not supposed to happen in MMA, and if the correct action is taken, they won't.