UFC 'disappointed' in Jon Jones, but UFC 197 remains intact
The UFC has issued a statement following Jon Jones' latest arrest on a probation violation after being cited for drag racing in New Mexico last week.
Jones was ticketed last Thursday for drag racing and four other citations while getting into a heated argument with the officer who made the traffic stop.
Jones was caught on video calling the officer "a (expletive) liar" and a "pig" during the stop before he was ticketed for multiple violations.
Jones went before Judge Michael Martinez on Thursday where he had his probation re-established with several new stipulations, including a restriction on driving unless he gets pre-approval from his court-appointed officer.
Jones will be released from jail following his latest court hearing.
UFC officials have confirmed Jones will still move forward with his upcoming fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 197 on April 23, but admit this latest incident is concerning after he was arrested last year on charges of a hit-and-run accident that landed him on probation in the first place.
"UFC respects the decision made today by Judge Michael E. Martinez in New Mexico Second Judicial District Court regarding the probation terms of the case involving Jon Jones. The organization was disappointed to learn that Jones was cited for several traffic offenses last week, as well as concerned by the nature and tone of portions of the conversation between Jones and the citing officer," UFC officials said on Thursday.
"Still, UFC respects Jones' right to contest those traffic citations in court and receive a fair hearing on the matter. Jones' scheduled bout on April 23 will proceed as planned, however, Jones understands that the UFC expects him to fully cooperate with the terms of his probation as set forth by Judge Martinez."
The fight with Cormier on April 23 will be Jones' first fight since January 2015.
Jones was suspended from the UFC after his hit-and-run accident in April 2015 and then reinstated after he was sentenced to probation in September.
He will look to take back the light heavyweight title from Cormier, who won the belt after Jones was stripped of the gold following his legal entanglement last year.
