Jon Jones, a legendary American MMA fighter, is facing legal issues – just one day after stunning the sport by confirming his retirement from the UFC.
During an explosive press conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, UFC chief Dana White announced that Jones, arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, had retired from the sport. Jones later confirmed the news himself in a statement.
Less than 24 hours later, it has emerged that the 37-year-old is facing a misdemeanor charge of fleeing the scene of an accident.
A criminal summons accusing Jones of the charge was filed in Albuquerque Metropolitan Court Tuesday. Jones has been called to appear in court on July 24 for a bond arraignment.
DailyMail.com has contacted Jones’ management and attorney for comment.
A police officer was said to be investigating a road accident on February 21 when they discovered a woman in the passenger seat of one of the vehicles, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
The woman was reportedly ‘exhibiting signs of significant intoxication and lacking clothing from the waist down.’
She claimed that Jones had been the driver of the car but had fled the scene on foot. The woman then reportedly called Jones.
A police service aide is said to have spoken to the man on the other end of the line, who she believed to be Jones. The man ‘appeared to be heavily intoxicated and made statements implying his capacity to employ lethal force through third parties’ to the PSA.
In response to the perceived threat, the PSA is said to have called for backup. A police officer then spoke to the man on the phone and said similar ‘allusions to violence’ were made. The man reportedly never answered direct questioned about whether he was Jones.
Jones was later interviewed in person, during which he allegedly claimed that the woman had left his home intoxicated earlier in the day.
He said that she had called him after getting into the crash, and he claimed the person she handed the phone to ‘immediately opened the conversations with unprofessional language, which led him to doubt the legitimacy of the individual’s claim.’
Meanwhile, the woman told police that she had drank alcohol and consumed mushrooms at Jones’ house and recalled needing to change her clothes there.
However, her memory was hazy as she claimed that ‘her next recollection was being at the scene of a traffic accident’ and that the last person she remembered driving the car was Jones.
Jones is said to have called the woman’s phone a total of 13 times from around the time of the accident to the following morning.
It is unclear why the charge was filed four months after the February incident. There is also no indication that the charge is related to Jones’s decision to retire this week.
UFC CEO White revealed Jones called on Friday night to inform him and UFC officials that he would not be fighting again.
Jones was the promotion’s undisputed heavyweight champion but his title has now been passed to Tom Aspinall.
Jones then posted a lengthy statement on social media, which read: ‘Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.
‘From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever.
‘I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.
‘I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage.
‘As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.’
Jones admitted earlier this week that he had no interest in fighting as he continued to stall on a bout with Aspinall.
Jones, who ends his career with a 28-1 career record, won the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023. But the 37-year-old has not fought since defending it in November against Stipe Miocic .
Aspinall has held the interim belt for 18 months but a unification fight between the two is yet to materialize. The delay led a number of fighters to call for Jones to be stripped of his title.
