UFC: Jon Jones pleads guilty buts avoids jail after second drink-driving offence
- UFC light heavyweight champ to serve one year of supervised probation and minimum 90 days of outpatient treatment
- Prosecutors drop other charges of possession of open container, no proof of insurance and negligent use of deadly weapon
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones has pleaded guilty to his second drink-driving offence in New Mexico.
Court records show the 32-year-old entered his plea on Tuesday and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation. Jones also was ordered to complete a minimum of 90 days of outpatient treatment, pay maximum fines and fees, and complete community service.
As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped other charges of possession of an open container, no proof of insurance, and negligent use of a deadly weapon.
In a statement, Jones apologised for disappointing family members, friends and fans.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions and I know that I have some personal work to do, which involves the unhealthy relationship I have with alcohol,” Jones said.
Jones was arrested last week in Albuquerque on suspicion of aggravated DWI (driving while intoxicated), negligent use of firearms, possession of an open container of alcohol, and no proof of insurance for a vehicle, police said.
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Police said Jones was found at about 1am in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle with the engine running. Authorities said Jones showed signs of intoxication, and a handgun and a half-empty bottle of liquor were in the vehicle.
In 2015, Jones pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident stemming from a hit-and-run crash in Albuquerque that injured a pregnant woman. He avoided jail time and was ordered to serve up to 18 months of supervised probation under that plea agreement.
Jones (26-1) retained his title in February by beating Dominick Reyes by unanimous decision.
