Jon JonesFormer UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones won in the courts today after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident in a New Mexico court on Tuesday, and was granted a conditional release with up to 18 months of supervised probation.

Jones will avoid a felony conviction and will have no travel restrictions while also having to make 72 appearances in Boys and Girls Clubs and schools in the New Mexico area. Jones released a statement via his PR team:

“With regards to today’s decision made by the court, I am very happy to now be able to put this incident behind me,” Jones said. “My actions have caused pain and inconvenience in the lives of others and for that I am truly sorry and I accept full responsibility. I have been working hard during this time away from my sport to grow and mature as a man and to ensure that nothing like this happens again. I have learned a great deal from this situation and I am determined to emerge a better person because of it.

“I apologize to those who were affected by my actions in this incident and I am hopeful that I will be given the opportunity to redeem myself in the eyes of the public, my family and friends as well as my supporters. I am not sure what the future holds for me but I plan to continue to do the work needed to be productive and successful in every aspect of my life. “

The UFC released a statement on the matter as well:

“The UFC organization is aware that Jon Jones reached a plea agreement with authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico this morning stemming from charges associated with a motor vehicle accident earlier this year,” UFC officials said. “As a result, UFC, through Las Vegas-based law firm Campbell & Williams, will thoroughly review the agreement before discussing Jones’ possible reinstatement to return to competition.”

Jones was stripped of his UFC light heavyweight title because of this incident earlier this year. Daniel Cormier is now the current champion, who ironically was the last opponent Jones defeated in defending his title prior to being stripped.  Cormier is slated to defend the title on Saturday at UFC 192 in Houston, Texas. I’m sure the two will be meeting sooner than later should Cormier successfully defend the title on Saturday night. Should Cormier’s opponent Alexander Gustafsson defeat Cormier, Gustafsson probably gave Jones his toughest fight to date back in 2013. I’m sure he would eagerly awaiting a rematch with Jones as well.

One thought on “Jon Jones strikes plea deal and avoids jail time”

Leave a Reply