UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has reached an agreement to have his misdemeanor assault charges dismissed following a court hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The resolution allows Jones to focus on his upcoming fight while completing specific requirements to clear his record.
- Jon Jones faced two misdemeanor charges: assault and interference with communications.
- The charges stemmed from an alleged altercation with UFC anti-doping agents at his home.
- A plea adjudication diversion agreement was approved, requiring Jones to complete anger management courses.
- Jones is set to defend his heavyweight title on November 16 against Stipe Miocic.
Court Hearing Details
The bench trial for Jon Jones took place on Tuesday in Bernalillo County court. Jones appeared virtually alongside his attorney, Christopher Dodd. The charges against him included:
- Assault
- Interference with Communications
The agreement reached between the defense and prosecutors stipulates that the charges will be dismissed if Jones completes four hours of anger management courses and remains out of legal trouble for the next 90 days.
Background of the Charges
The charges originated from an incident on March 30, where Jones allegedly confronted two UFC anti-doping agents from Drug Free Sport International at his home. One of the agents, Crystal Martinez, accused Jones of threatening her and taking her phone during an attempt to collect a urine sample. Martinez was present virtually during the hearing but did not speak.
According to Martinez, Jones appeared intoxicated and allegedly made threatening remarks, including:
- “Why you f*cking people come so early?”
- “Do you know what happens to people who come to my house? They end up dead.”
Jones has consistently denied these allegations, even sharing home surveillance footage that he claims shows a friendly interaction with the agents.
Jones’ Response
Following the court appearance, Jones took to social media to express his gratitude for the resolution of the case. He stated:
“I would like to extend my thanks to the justice system for reaching a prompt resolution in this matter, which affirms my innocence and enables me to maintain my focus on the upcoming fight. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to defend my heavyweight title on November 16th…”
Upcoming Fight
Despite the legal challenges, Jon Jones is preparing for a highly anticipated return to the octagon. He is scheduled to face Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York. This fight marks Jones’ first appearance since March 2023, when he claimed the vacant UFC heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane via first-round submission.
As Jones gears up for this significant matchup, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he performs after a lengthy layoff and amidst the recent legal turmoil.
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