Anthony Johnson willing to ‘be like Vitor and wait a year’ for Jon Jones

Jon Jones is currently slated to defend his long-held light heavyweight title against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson on May 23 at UFC 187, but that could change soon. Jones turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department on felony charges Monday stemming from his alleged role in a bizarre hit-and-run accident that left one pregnant victim with a fractured arm and wrist.

The UFC withheld comment following Jones’ arrest. But while UFC 187’s main event remains in a state of flux, Johnson is continuing to prepare for Jones as if it’s business as usual.

“Nothing’s changed,” Johnson said Monday on UFC Tonight. “I’m still training hard, staying focused, staying on the grind. Like I said, whoever they give me, whatever they throw my way, I’ll be ready no matter what.”

Jones posted bail and was released from the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center late Monday night after being arrested as the primary suspect of a hit-and-run that took place Sunday in Albuquerque, NM. According to witnesses, a silver Buick driven by a man believed to be Jones allegedly ran a red light and caused a three-car accident that left one of the victims with moderate injuries.

The man allegedly fled the scene on foot, before returning to retrieve cash from his vehicle then fleeing once more. A marijuana pipe and marijuana was found within the rental vehicle by officers, along with paperwork relating to MMA and Nevada attributed to “Jonathan Jones.” Off-duty police officer J. Sullivan also identified the man as Jones.

Both the UFC and the Nevada Athletic Commission declined to comment regarding Jones’ status at this early stage, and at the time of this writing, it’s unclear whether Jones will be allowed to fight in Las Vegas at UFC 187.

Johnson (19-4) is a perfect 3-0 so far in his second stint inside the UFC, with a résumé that includes a declarative first-round knockout over Alexander Gustafsson in Gustafsson’s native Sweden this past January. That win earned Johnson the right to challenge for Jones’ throne, and Johnson is resolute on keeping things that way, regardless of what legal trouble befalls the champion.

“I only want to fight for the title,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve worked my way up to being the No. 1 contender, and I plan on staying that way. Unless it’s for a title, I don’t want to be like Vitor and wait a year. But if I have to, I will.”

Jon Jones is currently slated to defend his long-held light heavyweight title against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson on May 23 at UFC 187, but that could change soon. Jones turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department on felony charges Monday stemming from his alleged role in a bizarre hit-and-run accident that left one pregnant victim with a fractured arm and wrist.

The UFC withheld comment following Jones’ arrest. But while UFC 187’s main event remains in a state of flux, Johnson is continuing to prepare for Jones as if it’s business as usual.

“Nothing’s changed,” Johnson said Monday on UFC Tonight. “I’m still training hard, staying focused, staying on the grind. Like I said, whoever they give me, whatever they throw my way, I’ll be ready no matter what.”

Jones posted bail and was released from the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center late Monday night after being arrested as the primary suspect of a hit-and-run that took place Sunday in Albuquerque, NM. According to witnesses, a silver Buick driven by a man believed to be Jones allegedly ran a red light and caused a three-car accident that left one of the victims with moderate injuries.

The man allegedly fled the scene on foot, before returning to retrieve cash from his vehicle then fleeing once more. A marijuana pipe and marijuana was found within the rental vehicle by officers, along with paperwork relating to MMA and Nevada attributed to “Jonathan Jones.” Off-duty police officer J. Sullivan also identified the man as Jones.

Both the UFC and the Nevada Athletic Commission declined to comment regarding Jones’ status at this early stage, and at the time of this writing, it’s unclear whether Jones will be allowed to fight in Las Vegas at UFC 187.

Johnson (19-4) is a perfect 3-0 so far in his second stint inside the UFC, with a résumé that includes a declarative first-round knockout over Alexander Gustafsson in Gustafsson’s native Sweden this past January. That win earned Johnson the right to challenge for Jones’ throne, and Johnson is resolute on keeping things that way, regardless of what legal trouble befalls the champion.

“I only want to fight for the title,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve worked my way up to being the No. 1 contender, and I plan on staying that way. Unless it’s for a title, I don’t want to be like Vitor and wait a year. But if I have to, I will.”