Thiago Santos Comments on Jon Jones’ Latest Arrest, Says Division Doesn’t Need “to Wait”

Not long after it was reported that Jon Jones had been arrested again, Thiago Santos started calling for a title fight to be set up with Dominick Reyes. Santos also argued that the UFC needs a new light-heavyweight champ who isn’t always in “trouble”. Well, in a more recent interview, the Brazilian contender outlined why he’s pushing for the promotion to crown a new champion.

Santos doesn’t believe the division should “wait” for Jones

Late last month, Jones was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and not long after, he reached a plea deal with authorities where he plead guilty to DWI.  It was the latest in a string of incidents Jones has had involving the law. In 2012, Jones was arrested for driving under the influence, and in 2015, he was arrested due to a hit-and-run. This past fall, Jones pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct, as a result of an alleged incident with a waitress. 

So, after news of Jones arrest came out, called on the UFC to crown a new champion, via a title fight between himself and Reyes. In a more recent interview with MMA Fighting, however, Santos expanded on why he made that call.

“I suggested this fight with Reyes in case (Jones) steps away to get treatment, like he said,” Santos said. “I don’t think the division needs to wait. The division can go on, even if it’s for an interim belt between Reyes and I, since we both are next in line. Fans were already talking about this fight even before this Jones situation happened, and I said I was willing to fight Reyes, and then Jones fights the winner when he returns.”

“It’s unfortunate – it’s sad,” Santos said of Jones’ latest run-in with the law. “I never hid that I’m a fan of the guy even before we fought, and that hasn’t changed. Unfortunately he has those problems with alcohol, he posted a statement about it, and those are problems he has to fix. You can’t overlook that, but also can’t throw rocks at him. It’s only up to him. We hope he solves that problem with alcohol and recovers.”

“It’s UFC’s decision,” Santos said. “I’m here to fight if they need and call me.”

Could Santos vs. Reyes for an interim belt happen?

Now, as part of the aforementioned plea deal, Jones avoided jail time. So, unless Jones or the UFC decides to not have him fight anytime soon, then it seems unlikely that an interim bout will materialize.

“Not that he deserves (more), or that I wanted him to be punished,” Santos said. “That’s his life, but laws usually are more severe in the U.S. than in Brazil, so that’s why it surprised me. But I don’t care about that. I just raised my hand and volunteered to fight. If there’s a fight to be made, I think I deserve it. And I’m ready.”

Jones did acknowledge in a statement that he has an “unhealthy relationship with alcohol”. But, it’s not clear yet whether the champion plans to take some time away from fighting as a result.

The other thing to consider is whether Jan Blachowicz could be tapped for an interim title fight, if the UFC goes that route. The Polish contender’s coming off a KO win over Corey Anderson and is also in the title shot mix.