Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was cited for drag racing by police in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 24th.
Jones, 28, received a total of five citations, according to Albuquerque Public Information Officer Tanner Tixier, Tixier said he believed Jones was alone at the time of the stop and was driving a white Corvette according to ESPN.
“I was not drag racing nor was I speeding. I did not get a speeding ticket. I was driving within the speed limit of the 35mph zone,” Jones explained in a statement. “I feel that police used a technicality to ticket me for drag racing, for simply revving my engine and acknowledging some of my local fans. I regrettably said words to the police officer out of frustration, for which I apologize for, but I do feel this was excessive.”
Jones, a guest on MMAFighting.coms The MMA Hour, where he revealed that he was recently pulled over by an Albuquerque Police Department officer, whom he says was immediately confrontational, and eventually issued five citations.
Jones also revealed on The MMA Hour he felt the officer that pulled him over was immediately confrontational, and that he, Jones, did not handle the situtation appropriately, saying some things he later regrets.
I just felt the guy was confrontational from the very first second. Im like bro, Im the last guy you can give a ticket to for drag racing.’ He was adamant. He gave me five tickets, said Jones, who maintained that he was not drag racing and that he was innocent.
Jones has a rematch scheduled with Daniel Cormier as the UFC 197 headliner on April 23 in Las Vegas. He also remains on probation for a felony hit-and-run incident from April of 2015 and was also cited in January in Albuquerque after being pulled over for driving 75 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone.
Despite all of that, Jones doesn’t think the current incident will affect his fight with Cormier.
No, I dont think that is the case,” he said. “I asked my probation officer about it right away. I dont think anything is going to be happening there. It doesnt affect the fight at all. My actual court date will be after the fight.
When asked about the situation, UFC Vice President of Public Relations Dave Sholler told various news outlets, We are aware of the situation and are looking into the matter. We’ve also been in touch with Jon’s team regarding the matter.
Jones maintains his innocence and is continuing his preparation for the Cormier rematch.
