Jon Jones is trying to remain positive during his latest legal battle.
The UFC heavyweight champion has had numerous run-ins with the law during his Hall of Fame career, but he appeared to turn his life around after being arrested in September 2021.
3
However, he’s recently been charged with assault and interference with communications in relation to an incident involving drug-testing agent Crystal Martinez.
Martinez told authorities that the UFC superstar was ‘cooperative at first’, but ultimately ended up taking her phone to record a video before threatening to kill her and her co-worker when they met in March.
Jones denied any wrongdoing, besides using ‘profanity’ in response to what he viewed as a lack of professionalism from the drug-testing agents.
‘Bones’ even released CCTV footage, which he claims shows him hugging and high-fiving Martinez as she leaves his home after their meeting.
READ MORE ON JON JONES
It wasn’t enough to convince the powers at be that he’s innocent, and now he faces up to one year in jail if a jury convicts him of both crimes as well as fines totalling $1,500 [£1,160].
On Thursday, Jones returned to social media for the first time since he was charged, but didn’t make any comment about it and instead focused on fighting.
The American hasn’t fought since winning the UFC heavyweight title by beating Ciryl Gane in March 2023, although he was booked to face Stipe Miocic last November.
A shoulder injury derailed that fight, but Jones is feeling fit and ready to finally face Miocic in the main event of a rumoured UFC 309 show at Madison Square in New York on November 9.
3
3
“Tomorrow, I’ll be 37 years old!! I’m 260 pounds 16 weeks away from fighting the most decorated heavyweight in UFC history,” Jones wrote on X alongside two videos of him doing bar exercises.
“I feel like I’m in a great spot right before training camp ramps up. My form is far from perfect in these videos, but I’m happy with it considering the surgeries I recently had.
Most read in MMA
“16 more weeks to become the beast, that’s exactly what I will do. #Champion2024.”
Dana White is yet to confirm Jones’ next fight date, but the fact he’s in trouble again hasn’t stopped the UFC CEO from publicly praising his heavyweight champion.,
“Jon Jones and I have not had a great relationship as far as business goes,” White said on The Big Podcast.
Read More on talkSPORT
“That doesn’t twist my judgment. He is the greatest combat fighter of all time.
“Period. End of story. There’s not even an argument.”