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Anderson Silva Says Jon Jones Drug Issue is Normal, Has Opportunity to “Change Everything”

Anderson Silva Says Jon Jones Drug Issue is Normal, Has Opportunity to “Change Everything”

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has come under fire recently for everything from testing positive for cocaine to spending one night in a rehabilitation facility after the positive became public to his response to the situation in an exclusive interview on FOX Sports 1.

No matter how you spin it, Jones can’t catch a break.

SEE ALSO: Jon Jones Talks About Testing Positive for Cocaine, Rehab, and More (Video)

Well, he is catching a break on at least one front, from former middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who is returning to the Octagon after more than a year on the sidelines when he faces Nick Diaz in the UFC 183 main event next week.

“First of all, Jon Jones is my friend. I like Jon Jones. He’s just the young guy; he’s got the problems. All the people have problems,” said Silva in an interview with UFC.com, pointing out that no one is immune; we all have issues to deal with. It just so happens that Jones’ problem seems to be with an illegal substance.

“I’m no different. I no use drugs, but I’m no different,” Silva continued. “I’m normal. All the people have problems.”

Jones has long been a polarizing figure in mixed martial arts. Almost no one would debate that he is one of the best fighters of all time, but not everyone likes him. He generally is classified as one of the types that you either love or you hate with not much middle ground.

SEE ALSO: Anderson Silva Addresses Jon Jones Testing Positive for Cocaine (Video)

Silva, however, thinks that, while Jones has his problems, he also has an opportunity.

“This is normal. This is young,” he said. “Now, Jon Jones have a chance for change everything.”

With his history of a DUI accident and the positive for cocaine, the only question now is: will Jon Jones take advantage of this opportunity for a course correction?

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