Daniel Cormier isn’t celebrating Jon Jones’ arrest, wants UFC to step in and save him

After Jon Jones was arrested again last week for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), having an open container and negligent use of a firearm (details), many in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community came out to criticize “Bones” for once again getting on the wrong side of the law.

Others, however, came out to support “Bones” in his darkest hour.

Now, one of Jones’ biggest rivals and critics over the years is speaking out on his latest infraction, as Daniel Cormier chimed in on “Bones’” latest setback. And if you think he’s going to take the opportunity to kick the Light Heavyweight champion (for now) while he’s down, you’re sorely mistaken.

“That’s not me — I didn’t celebrate. I didn’t celebrate the kid getting in trouble again,” Cormier said during on an episode of DC & Helwani via ESPN after getting word from his elated friends that Jones had been arrested again. “I don’t think you should celebrate or dance on someone’s grave in their darkest moments.”

Sure, Cormier has used Jones’ past transgressions against him during the build-up to their two fights, but deep down “DC” knows Jones needs help ... and fast. And while “Bones” has done his part in the past to get on the straight and narrow, it just isn’t enough. That’s why Cormier wants Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to intervene.

“I think UFC needs to save him,” Cormier said. “Keep him, but then really try to help him try to get better.”

Much of the criticism coming Jones’ way is the fact that he got arrested in a time where New Mexico -- as well as the rest of the world — is on lockdown because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But the way “DC” sees it, sitting around with not much to do is actually a perfect recipe for disaster for someone who obviously has problems.

“For a guy that has these issues — whether it be alcohol, whether it be drugs — that dead time is your worst enemy,” he said. “All those vices start to pull at you, whenever you’re just sitting home with nothing to do, especially if you’re not a person that does that a lot.”

It’s a sobering reality Cormier predicted four years ago while on stage with Jones:

Jones is due in court on April 8, 2020, and while UFC did release this statement, the promotion still hasn’t given any indication as to what will become of Jones’ status as its current 205-pound champion.

It seems that legal experts are split, too, in these uncertain times.