Jon Jones is currently considered one of the best "pound for pound" fighters in the world. He has a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Jon's last fight was January 3rd, 2015. His bout was the headline fight for the event. After the fight, both Jon Jones and the UFC confirmed a positive drug test for cocaine. It was also announced that Jon admitted to the drug use and voluntarily entered a drug rehabilitation program. At first, there were no fines; penalties or disciplinary action were taken. It was later reported that Jon was in the rehabilitation program for just 1 day. After many negative news reports the UFC fined Jon Jones $25,000. For reference, Jon Jones makes $500,000 per fight, not including bonuses or product endorsements. Jon fights 2 to 3 times per year. The $25,000 fine was very low compared to his income. Fighters have been fined, suspended and even had their contracts terminated for drug use. Typically the drug in question is marijuana. Boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. did not have it so easy when he smoked marijuana prior to a fight with Sergio Martinez in 2012. Marijuana metabolites were discovered in Chavez's urine following a drug test that was administered to him on Sept. 15, 2012, the night of his middleweight title fight with Martinez at the Thomas & Mack Center. Chavez admitted his usage and was fined $900,000 and suspended for nine months by the Nevada commission. After the threat of a lawsuit for an excessive fine, the fine was reduced to $100,000, but Chavez still served the nine-month suspension (Lole). There is a demonstrated double standard between high profile athletes that bring in more fans than lesser-known and less popular fighters. Treating fighters differently and allowing some to ignore the rules sends a very bad message to everyone. If you are good enough you don't have to follow the rules or be punished.
Some people are very angry at the UFC for not punishing Jon Jones.
