Jon Jones is back in the hot seat after a strip club employee accused the UFC champ of inappropriate behavior.
Just when it seemed like Jon Jones had his life in order, he’s been hit with a battery charge in New Mexico. According to a report by TV Station KRQE in Albuquerque, Jones is facing the charge after an employee of TD’s Eubank Showclub in the New Mexico city accused the light heavyweight champ of slapping her, pulling her into his lap, and kissing her.
The charge resulted in a bench warrant being issued when Jones failed to appear for a hearing in June. The warrant was ordered on June 11 (the date of Jones’ bond arraignment), and issued the following day.
A spokesperson for Jones provided a statement to KRQE, which said that “Today, the media told Mr. Jones about a false accusation launched against him and that paperwork had been sent to an incorrect address. However, after receiving the documents from the press, Mr. Jones immediately went to pay the small fee, and he, and multiple witnesses, stand ready to factually refute the malicious lies being told about him to the public.”
The small fee referenced amounted to $300 in the form of a cash surety, per court records obtained by Cageside Press. The amount was paid on July 21. In addition to the surety, additional conditions were placed on Jones, including that he “shall not buy, sell, consume, possess drugs without prescription,” “avoid all contact with victim or anyone who may testify,” and “not to Possess or Consume Alcohol or Enter Liquor Establishment.” Generally speaking, those conditions are standard and not specific to Jones’ case.
Jones (25–1 (1)) defeated Thiago Santos earlier this month at UFC 239 to retain his light heavyweight title. The 32-year old has had multiple run-ins with the law, including a hit-and-run incident in 2015 that saw Jones’ vehicle collide with a car driven by a pregnant female. Jones fled the scene, only to return on foot to collect money left in his vehicle, then flee again. The incident resulted in Jones being stripped of the UFC’s light heavyweight title. Though facing felony charges, he plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, accepted 18 months probation, and avoided harsher penalties or jail time.
Jones remains the only fighter to have been stripped of a UFC title on three separate occasions.
