[CW: The following article includes descriptions of domestic violence]
Earlier this week it was revealed that former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had been arrested and charged with battery domestic violence and injuring and tampering with a vehicle. The arrest, which happened in Las Vegas, NV, came a day after Jones was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame (in the fight wing for his 2013 contest with Alexander Gustafsson).
Later, details emerged regarding the arrest and were released by MMA Fighting. Those details came from a police report obtained by that outlet. The police report described Las Vegas Metro police being called to Caesars Palace after one of Jones’ children asked a hotel security guard to call 911.
The report claims that police then spoke with a woman who said she was Jones’ domestic partner of over 17 years. That woman said that Jones entered the hotel room “not very happy”. She further claimed that Jones touched the back of her head and pulled her hair. Though, she said that Jones did not hit her and that he grabbed her to prevent her from leaving the room.
The report also claims that police observed that the woman appeared to have a swollen and bloody lip and that there was blood on her clothes. The police report notes that the woman “seemed scared to even talk about” Jones. After Jones was arrested, it is alleged that he headbutted a police car.
After this incident became public, Jones posted an image on Instagram showing him lifting weights at the gym.
From Jon Jones’ IG pic.twitter.com/C2S5Y1ZVb3
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) September 29, 2021
The image featured a number of captions that appear to relate to Jones’ recent arrest. They include:
“I have way too much trauma to consume alcohol, my brain simply can’t handle it anymore. I will leave alcohol in my past forever.”
“Turn this nightmare into the best thing to ever happen in my life.”
“Now is the time to work harder than ever.”
“What the devil means for bad, God means for good.”
“Get right back on my horse.”
This is not the first time Jones has been arrested. The 34-year-old has been involved in a number of incidents during his tenure in the UFC. Most notably, in 2015 Jones was involved in a hit-and-run collision in Albuquerque, NM which resulted in a pregnant woman being injured.
Jones has also faced charges that include aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm and misdemeanour battery.
Support for survivors of domestic violence can be found from the following organizations:
USA – The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Canada – DAWN-RAFH Canada
UK and Ireland – Women’s Aid: 0808-2000-247
Rest of the World – HotPeachPages