The first UFC game for mobile was released by EA just over a week ago and the company already finds themselves in a pickle. Jon Jones was arrested this week after alleged involvement in a hit-and-run. He’s since been stripped of the light heavyweight title and replaced in next month’s UFC 187 by Daniel Cormier who will fight Anthony Johnson for the vacated belt.
EA took a risk by plastering Jon Jones all over the new mobile game given that he tested positive for cocaine in January. That was followed by a stint in rehab that reportedly lasted just a single day. Jones shared the cover of the console version with Alexander Gustafsson but that was prior to his reputation and marketability taking such a massive hit.
Reebok has already terminated their endorsement with Jones and EA Sports will likely follow – or at the very least minimize his presence representing the game. Currently Jones appears prominently in the app icon, loading screen, and on the store pages.