UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones today pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated in New York.
The light heavyweight’s driving license was also suspended, and the fighter must undergo an alcohol abuse and dependency evaluation prior to his sentencing hearing on June 19.
Jones, 24, is widely regarded as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound talents. A resident of Ithaca, N.Y., Jones makes his training camp at Jackson’s MMA in Albuquerque, N.M. The light heavyweight ace captured the UFC’s 205-pound title last year from Mauricio Rua and has defended it three times thus far, stopping former champions Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida in 2011 before outpointing ex-teammate Rashad Evans at UFC 145 on April 21. “Bones” is next scheduled to defend his crown against former Strikeforce and Pride Fighting Championships titlist Dan Henderson on Sept. 1 at UFC 151.