UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones faces misdemeanour charges following an alleged altercation with drug testing agents. Discover the details of the virtual hearing, Jones’ plea, and his vehement denial of the accusations as he prepares for a potential return to the octagon.
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to two misdemeanour charges during a virtual hearing in a New Mexico court. The charges stem from an alleged altercation with drug testing agents at his home in March.
Judge Brittany Maldonado Malott presided over the proceedings, with Jones present alongside his attorney Christopher Dodd. Jones faces a petty misdemeanour for assault and a misdemeanour for interference with communications.
Conditions for Release
Pending a bench trial—date yet to be determined—Jones must adhere to several conditions:
Not violate any laws
Not possess any firearms or dangerous weapons
Not possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs
Notify the court of any address changes
Maintain contact with his attorney
Avoid all contact with the alleged victims
Jones’ attorney clarified that a previous warrant was issued due to the court’s incorrect recording of Jones’ name and address. Once Jones was aware, he promptly contacted his attorney to correct the situation.
Incident Details
The charges originate from an alleged incident involving Drug-Free Sport agents, who visited Jones’ home on March 30 for a UFC anti-doping test. Agent Crystal Martinez reported that Jones became “agitated” when he couldn’t provide a urine sample and was offered a blood test instead. Martinez claimed Jones questioned them about money, suggesting he would sue them, and allegedly grabbed her phone to record them.
Martinez stated she was “terrified” with Jones standing less than a foot away and feared he might hit her as she considered terminating the test.
Jones’ Response
Jones has vehemently denied these allegations, stating the testers caught him off guard while he was celebrating a birthday and taking a nap. He admitted to using some profanity out of frustration but denied any threatening or aggressive behaviour.
“It’s unfortunate that false news has been spread without proper fact-checking. I assure you that I will vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations. The truth is, the incident simply did not occur,” Jones said in April.
Potential Consequences and Future Plans
If convicted on both charges, Jones could face up to a year in jail and fines totalling $1,500. Despite the legal troubles, Jones is preparing for his expected return to the UFC. He is anticipated to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in a bout likely set for November at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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