Former UFC champ Jon Jones avoids jail time, gets probation and community service, UFC releases statement
In what has been undergoing trial for months, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones yesterday plead guilty to one felony count of leaving the site following an accident earlier this year in April, but avoided going to jail when a judge granted him a conditional discharge.
Jones, who was stripped of his UFC title after the incident came to light, was given upto 18 months of supervised probation and will be required to make 72 speaking appearances. “Mr. Jones, you got real lucky, and in a number of ways, I think you need to talk to young people because making one stupid decision changes your entire future,” Judge Charles Brown of the Second Judicial District Court said today during the former UFC light-heavyweight champion’s hearing.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Jones stands to avoid felony conviction as long as he finishes probation and completes the speaking commitments without incident. His probation period could also be ended earlier than the said period of 18 months, if the court decides so.
“This has been a huge wake-up call for him,” said Jones attorney Vincent Ward. “Ever since he walked away from that car, he’s done everything to make amends.”
“I am here to accept full responsibility for what happened, and I hope you can give me an opportunity to redeem myself,” Jones said during the hearing, which UFC President Dana White attended. The UFC on its part released the below statement following the plea hearing:
“The UFC organization is aware that Jon Jones reached a plea agreement with authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico this morning stemming from charges associated with a motor vehicle accident earlier this year. As a result, UFC, through Las Vegas-based law firm Campbell & Williams, will thoroughly review the agreement before discussing Jones' possible reinstatement to return to competition.
More information will be made available following completion of this review.”
While Jones is at home contemplating his future, the Light Heavyweight belt he relinquished will be defended by his arch-rival and the champion Daniel Cormier against Alexander Gustaffson.
You can read up on the case from when it happened here