VIDEO: Jon Jones opens up about hit and run, suspension

Jon Jones finally opened up about the most challenging year of his life.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an accident following a hit and run in April, which led to the immediate stripping of his title and suspension from the UFC.

"Now there's a new guy wearing my belt named Daniel Cormier, walking around calling himself the champ. Why? Cause I beat myself," Jones told MMAFighting.com. "I lost my belt, I lost my endorsements, I lost respect, I embarrassed my family. One day my kids are going to grow up and read about this."

Jones, who avoided jail time by agreeing to complete 72 speaking engagements as part of his plea deal, acknowledged that through the dark times following his suspension, he found a silver lining.

"It has been eventual for sure," Jones said. "It has been a major learning situation. It's been a growing experience. I've learned so much.

"I've had the opportunity to just kind of reevaluate life, look at myself outside being this UFC champion, and just kind of get back to Jonathan Jones as a person, as a father, and not just this athlete."