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Reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, was charged with misdemeanor battery following an alleged nightclub incident back in April, one that led to a warrant for “Bones” arrest.
That’s because Jones, 32, failed to appear for his bond arraignment and letters from the court were marked as undeliverable. The longtime pound-for-pound great first became aware of the charge — well as the warrant — after a report from KRQE News 13.
“Today, the media told Mr. Jones about a false accusation launched against him and that paperwork had been sent to an incorrect address,” James Hallinan, a spokesperson for Jones told the local news outlet. “However, after receiving the documents from the press, Mr. Jones immediately went to pay the small fee, and he, and multiple witnesses, stand ready to factually refute the malicious lies being told about him to the public.”
With the warrant taken care of, Jones can now work on exonerating himself from allegations that he inappropriately touched a cocktail waitress before choking her at TD’s Eubank Showclub last April in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“I’m definitely not in any trouble my friend, don’t be so quick to believe everything you read on the Internet,” Jones told a Twitter follower. “I know there’s a whole bunch of people hoping for my downfall, but there’s even more who are proud of me and love seeing me do well. And screw staying inside, I love this community. Excited to keep climbing, haters going to be mad when I win in December.”
Unfortunately for “Bones,” this isn’t the first time he’s found himself on the wrong end of the law. In addition to his well publicized hit-and-run back in 2015, the once-beaten light heavyweight also got zapped for drag racing the following year.
Jones remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
As for the court of public option, that appears to be a work in progress, though his professional career remains bulletproof. Jones has already captured three wins since returning from drug suspension late last year (including this one) and is expected to make his Octagon return in December.