Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was “disappointed” to learn that former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones could not keep himself out of the headlines just a few weeks ahead of his UFC 197 pay-per-view (PPV) title fight, especially considering he was recently taken off disciplinary suspension for last year’s hit-and-run.
That’s according to the statement UFC released on Thursday (March 31, 2016), just a few hours after “Bones” was scheduled to be released from county jail, a place he spent the past couple of days after violating terms of his existing probation (more on that here).
UFC respects the decision made today by Judge Michael E. Martinez in New Mexico Second Judicial District Court regarding the probation terms of the case involving Jon Jones.
The organization was disappointed to learn that Jones was cited for several traffic offenses last week, as well as concerned by the nature and tone of portions of the conversation between Jones and the citing officer.
Still, UFC respects Jones’ right to contest those traffic citations in court and receive a fair hearing on the matter.
Jones’ scheduled bout on April 23 will proceed as planned, however, Jones understands that the UFC expects him to fully cooperate with the terms of his probation as set forth by Judge Martinez.
Jones had a small meltdown during last week’s traffic stop (because of this).
Hopefully, Jones and Co. can put this mess in the rear-view mirror in just a few short weeks. “Bones” has a chance to reclaim his 205-pound title — and rid himself of Daniel Cormier in the process — on April 23, 2016 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Assuming he can make it to “Sin City” without any additional hiccups.