[sigallery id=”9ytkhp64a3aMucD4554aZ6″ title=”Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier, UFC 182″ type=”sigallery”]
Jon Jones’ latest legal woes won’t force a change to next month’s UFC 197 lineup.
After copping a plea deal today and avoiding additional jail time, Jones (21-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) is still slated to rematch light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in UFC 197’s championship headliner.
The event takes place April 23 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, and Jones vs. Cormier II closes out the pay-per-view main card.
In a statement, UFC officials said they’re “disappointed” with the ex-champ following his latest arrest, but UFC 197 will go on as planned.
Jones is required to complete a driver-improvement course, enroll in an anger-management course and complete 60 additional hours of community service after he picked up five traffic citations this past Thursday for drag racing, exhibition driving, weaving, failing to properly display his license plate, and modifying his exhaust pipe.
Although they’re not serious offenses, Jones was still on probation from a hit-and-run accident this past April that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm. A plea agreement this past September allowed him to avoid jail time and clear his permanent record by serving 18 months supervised probation, during which he agreed to give 72 public-speaking engagements. As part of his agreement, he was also required not to break any laws.
Here’s the UFC’s full statement:
“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.”
For more on UFC 197, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
