UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has pleaded not guilty to recent misdemeanor charges stemming from a March incident with a drug testing official.
Jon Jones’ Outside of the Octagon Problems Continue
Back in April when word first got out that Jon Jones had an altercation with a drug testing official, the community collectively rolled their eyes. Many fans have heard this story before, Jon Jones wins a belt then gets into legal trouble before fighting again. Jones was accused of telling the drug-testing agent;
“Do you know what happens to people who come to my house? They end up dead.”
Jones was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and having a party at his house for a friend. However this time there was a glimmer of hope, with Jones posting a video showing him walking out with the official peacefully. Some fans began to side with the heavyweight champion, ever accusing him of potentially being extorted. Jones admitted that he acted unprofessionally but insisted he didn’t threaten anyone or get out of line.
Things involving the incident died down over the following months, until this week when it was found that misdemeanor charges were being brought against Jones. Charges of petty assault and interference with communications were slapped onto Jones abruptly. The heavyweight champion quickly pleaded not guilty and was granted continued release under a set of basic circumstances. One of those circumstances includes no drugs or alcohol, as Jones was drunk at the time of the alleged assault. He also may not possess any firearms, while a video from last year shows that Jones is a firearm owner. If Jones is convicted on both counts, while unlikely, he could face up to a year in jail.
This incident is merely a speck on the long list of legal issues Jones has faced throughout his UFC run.
What’s Next for ‘Bones’?
Jon Jones has been hailed by UFC President Dana White as “the current top P4P fighter in the UFC” for what feels like forever now. The issue is that Jones hasn’t been able to fight consistently in what feels like forever. Jones has maintained that a fight with Stipe Miocic will happen in November of this year, but it was scheduled back in November of last year. Many fans also would rather see Jones face Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira, leaving the champion in a career dilemma.
Whatever comes of these charges will dictate when we see Jones next, but many fans will wait with much anticipation for the return of the all-time great.
Do you think this legal trouble that Jon Jones is facing will have serious repercussions? Who do you want to see Jones Face next? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured Image Credit via Embed from Getty Images
