UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones appeared just about in court docket in New Mexico on Wednesday and entered a not responsible plea to misdemeanor prices stemming from an alleged incident with drug testing brokers in March.
Jones, alongside together with his lawyer Christopher Dodd, appeared on the digital listening to in entrance of Decide Brittany Maldonado Malott. Jones’ prices embody a petty misdemeanor for assault and a misdemeanor for interference with communications.
Jones will subsequent seem in court docket on Aug. 22 for a bench trial. The fees stem from a go to to his residence by two Drug Free Sport brokers to gather a pattern as a part of the UFC anti-doping coverage. One of many brokers, Crystal Martinez, alleges that Jones grew “agitated” after failing to have the ability to present a urine pattern and was given the choice of offering a blood pattern as a substitute.
She additionally claimed Jones took her telephone and commenced recording the brokers. The incident left Martinez “terrified,” she instructed police. Jones has denied the account supplied by Martinez. In April, he launched an announcement giving his account of what occurred.
“I used to be lately visited by testers whereas I used to be celebrating a birthday and taking a nap. Upon waking up, I used to be caught off guard by the unprofessionalism and protocol by one of many testers which triggered frustration, main me to make use of some profanity [that] I remorse.”
“Nonetheless, I wish to emphasize that at no level did I threaten, get in anybody’s face, elevate my voice to anybody, or have interaction in any type of assault,” Jones wrote on social media.
Howdy everybody,I wished to deal with some misinformation that has been circulating this morning . I woke as much as false experiences that I had been arrested . I’ve not been arrested. The truth is, I’m at the moment in Texas with my daughters at a volleyball match.I have to admit, it's…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 7, 2024
Jones is predicted to make his return to the octagon in November towards former two-time campion Stipe Miocic. Whereas making ready to face Miocic final November, Jones tore a pectoral tendon that sidelined the all-time nice.
Jones returned after three years away from competitors in March 2023 to battle for the heavyweight championship towards former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane. Jones defeated Gane to turn out to be a two-division UFC champion including to his already Corridor of Fame resume. The anticipated match towards Miocic will probably be Jones’ first title protection.
