Looks like Jon Jones isn’t taking anymore risks with the Albuquerque police department, as he told Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour that he’s officially hired a full-time driver.
Looks like Jon Jones just took a big step toward winning his toughest fight yet. No, not Daniel Cormier, or Ovince St. Preux, I’m talking about his battle with traffic laws and the police officers that enforce them. Following his latest run in and ticketing over “drag racing” charges, Jones found himself in jail as the purported traffic offenses were a violation of his parole. He’s back out now and back to training for his MMA return later this month. But, in the meantime, just to make sure he doesn’t run into any more trouble behind the wheel, he’s gone out and got himself a full-time driver.
Jones reported the news in a recent interview on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani (transcript via MMAFighting):
“I have him here and he’s driving me between every practice all day, even at night now,” Jones said Monday on The MMA Hour. “I figured I’d take getting in trouble out of the police’s hands by simply not driving.”
…
“There’s a pattern throughout my career,” Jones said. “I’ve never gotten into a street fight, nothing crazy. It’s always been something behind the wheel. So, by simply not driving, I’m pretty positive that there won’t be any issues coming up in my life, especially (with my) sobriety as well. I’ve failed some drug tests in the past and I’ve gotten some traffic issues in the past. Now that I’m sober, now that I’m just not going to drive anyone for a while, I think we’re going to be good.”
Hopefully that’s the missing piece of the puzzle to keep Jones out of legal trouble for a while, while his MMA career gets back on track. Jones hasn’t fought in the Octagon since January of 2015, when he defeated Daniel Cormier. Since then a serious hit and run accident and a two more recent minor run ins with police have been the most notable points in Jones’ career.
Jones takes on OSP in the main event of UFC 197 on April 23rd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will crown an interim light heavyweight champion, while current champ Daniel Cormier heals from a recent leg injury. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.