The Nevada Athletic Commission is going to keep a close eye on the Jon Jones situation.
NAC executive director Bob Bennett told MMAFighting.com on Monday that the commission will be monitoring Jones’ current legal troubles. As of Monday afternoon, Jones could be facing felony leaving the scene of an accident charges with regards to a hit-and-run collision Sunday morning in Albuquerque, according to the Albuquerque Police Department.
Bennett said there is not enough information right now to determine whether or not Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion, would be licensed for his scheduled title defense against Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 in Las Vegas. But Bennett said Jones could be called before the commission ahead of the fight if chairman Francisco Aguilar and the commissioners believe it is warranted.
“It would all depend on the facts of the case,” Bennett said.
A man suspected to be Jones allegedly ran a red light Sunday morning in Albuquerque, striking a car with a pregnant woman inside, according to the police report. The man, who was identified as Jones by an off-duty police officer at the scene, bolted from the vehicle after grabbing a handful of cash. Albuquerque PD has not been able to contact Jones for questioning and is currently working on a warrant for his arrest.
APD found a marijuana pipe with marijuana in it inside the vacant car involved in the accident. Also found was paperwork with the name “Jonathan Jones” and references to MMA and Nevada.
Bennett told MMAFighting.com that Jones passed multiple out-of-competition drug tests with regards to UFC 187. Those tests, though, would not determine whether Jones had used any recreational drugs.
In December, Jones tested positive for cocaine metabolites in an out-of-competition test before UFC 182, but it was a mistake that Jones was tested for recreational drugs at all at that time. Because recreational drugs are not prohibited out of competition, Jones faced no penalties from the NAC. The UFC did fine him $25,000 for the infraction and Jones spent a day in a rehab facility for an evaluation.
The UFC said in a statement Sunday that it would be awaiting more details in the Jones case before issuing further comment. Bennett said the NAC will be doing the same and watching the situation carefully.
“We’d be keeping an eye on any unarmed combatant alleged to be in an incident such as this,” Bennett said.