Jon Jones appeared before judge Michael Martinez in New Mexico Judicial District Court on Thursday morning for a probation violation stemming from an incident in which the UFC light heavyweight received five traffic tickets, including one for drag racing, on March 24 in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office recommended that Jones take anger management and a driving course as well as have a curfew between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. However, Jones’ legal team argued against the curfew, pointing primarily to his UFC obligations, which include training, travel and media events. Ultimately, Jones did not receive a curfew, but he is not allowed to drive unless given permission to do so by his probation officer. In addition to the anger management and driver improvement courses, Jones also received 60 hours of community service. He is expected to be released from custody later today. MMAFighting.com first reported the potential new conditions of Jones’ probation on Wednesday evening.
In video footage captured by officer Jason Brown’s body camera during last week’s incident, Jones argues with Brown and calls him a “f—-ing liar” and a “pig.” Jones turned himself in on Tuesday and remained in custody at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center until his court appearance.
It was Jones second traffic violation in recent months, as he was also cited for driving without a license registration or proof of insurance on Jan. 31 but he was cleared of those violations after providing proper documentation in court.
Jones was serving 18 months’ supervised probation after pleading guilty to fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run accident in Albuquerque in April 2015. During Thursday’s proceedings, concern was expressed regarding the fact that all three of Jones recent incidents have involved motor vehicles. Meanwhile, Jones’ legal team emphasized that he was sober when his was pulled over for the most recent infractions last week.
Judge Martinez told Jones that if he returns to court before his probation is over, “it won’t go well” for him. Jones is scheduled to face Daniel Cormier for the light heavyweight title in the UFC 197 main event in Las Vegas on April 23.