The highly-anticipated return of former UFC pound-for-pound king Jon Jones in the octagon could turn out to be in complete jeopardy. Jones, who was arrested last year in a hit-and-run case, has been charged of violating probation.
The former UFC Light Heavyweight champion of the world, who is scheduled to have a rematch with Daniel Cormier for the championship in UFC 197, was sent to a detention centre in New Mexico Tuesday for allegedly drag racing near a traffic stop.
In an incident that took place March 24, Jones mouthed foul words to a police officer in the streets after being caught guilty of drag racing and that was a violation of his 18-month supervised probation sentence. The MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter was made to sign a plea agreement after being discharged from a jail in New Mexico last year.
The agreement had stated that Jones should try to avoid getting into legal trouble for the next three years or else he will be convicted of felony again.
According to the Albuquerque Police Department, apart from being charged of drag racing, Jones is convicted for equipment modifications, a license plate issue, failure to maintain a driving lane and exhibition driving.
The UFC issued a statement saying that until further information are out, they won't be commenting on the incident. "UFC is aware that Jon Jones turned himself into the Albuquerque Police Department this morning for a potential probation violation stemming from a traffic stop last week," the statement read.
"UFC has been in touch with Jones' legal team and will have no further comment until the organization has had appropriate time to gather necessary information."
Jones' management team, meanwhile, have backed the fighter. "Jon and his team are taking this very seriously, and we will let the legal process play out."
"We are confident he will be released once he has an opportunity to explain to the judge the facts in this case."
Jones was stripped and suspended indefinitely by the UFC in April last year after he crashed his SUV into a pregnant woman's car and fled the scene. He avoided a prison term just days after pleading guilty on felony charges but received 18 months' probation and community service for the crime.
