UPDATE (March 29, 3:30 p.m. EST): Jon Jones was arrested in New Mexico on Tuesday for violating his probation, according to TMZ. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest following a drag racing citation issued last Thursday.
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Jon Jones' return to UFC could be delayed even longer following a recent incident in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Last Thursday night, Jones, a former UFC champion, was pulled over in a white Corvette by a cop for allegedly drag racing -- a claim that Jones immediately, vehemently denied in a conversation that was caught on tape by the officer's body camera.
"You and I both know that I was not drag racing," Jones said. "You and I both know that I did not speed. You and I both know that I freaking revved my engine at the red light and never took off racing at all."
As the footage rolls on, Jones becomes even more heated, alleging that the cop "[picked out] this Corvette out for no reason. Blaming me for all this shit that you know isn’t true. You’re ridiculous ... I used to really respect ... fuckers like you.”
The officer contends that Jones took off at "a high rate of speed" along with a nearby Cadillac. Albuquerque's police department said Jones -- who called the officer a "fucking liar" and a "pig" -- was issued five citations at the scene for the contested racing, "equipment issues," and a further problem with his license plate, according to TMZ.
In a statement published on Monday, Jones restated that he believes himself to be innocent:
I was not drag racing nor was I speeding. I did not get a speeding ticket. I was driving within the speed limit of the 35 mph zone.
I feel that police used a technicality to ticket me for drag racing, for simply revving my engine and acknowledging some of my local fans. I regrettably said words to the police officer out of frustration, for which I apologize for, but I do feel this was excessive.
UFC issued a statement on Monday as well. "We are aware of the situation and are looking into the matter. We've also been in touch with Jon's team regarding the matter," they said.
Jones' latest run-in with the law could prove to be especially problematic. In September 2015, he was sentenced to 72 weeks of probation and ordered to make 72 appearances speaking to local Albuquerque youth. The sentence stemmed from an April 2015 hit-and-run charge involving a pregnant woman.
Jones was reportedly warned not to receive any additional citations, but Thursday night's write-up could provide further legal problems for the former UFC champion, who was reinstated in October 2015 following a suspension for the charge. His reinstatement remains contingent on Jones completing the terms of his plea agreement, so these latest allegations could derail his career further.
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