Jon “Bones” Jones’ Worse Week Ever; Charged with Hit and Run, Stripped of Title and Banned from UFC.
The incident occurred early Sunday. A Silver Buick SUV ran a red light striking a car which contained a 25 year old pregnant woman, causing her car to then hit a third vehicle. A man ran from the SUV; then ran back, grabbed some money and ran off again. The description of the fleeing man, matched that of Jon Jones. That’s basically all we knew on Sunday night.
Jones quickly went from “wanted for questioning”, to being a suspect, all the way to a warrant being put out for his arrest in just over two days. The car was linked to Jones because it was rented from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the papers inside were linked to the former MMA Champion.
It was clear from the details of the police report that Jones definitely fled without any f_cks given to those he might have injured. The police report states:
the man hitting the Honda was identified as a black male, wearing a white button up shirt, with dark pants on ran onto a hill just East of the accident. Witnesses stated he slouched over and ran back to the vehicle grabbing a large hand full of cash. Witnesses stated he shoved the cash into his pants and ran North and jumped the fence……
Then came the identifiers. Not only did they get the paperwork from the Rent A Car place but it also had Jones phone number on it. They immeditely began to cal l Jones, but of course there were no answers. It also makes sense that Jones was in Albuquerque as it’s similar to Big Bear, California for boxers. MMA fighters train there to get ready for big fights and Jones moved there full time earlier this year. However, it doesn’t explain why he had a rental car to begin with.
Jones ends up turning himself in.
FELONY CHARGES
The woman whose car was hit suffered a broken arm….don’t forget she was also pregnant which brings on future uncertainty to the health of her unborn baby. Jones will be charged with leaving the scene of a crime which is a felony that potentially carries jail time,
The Smashed SUV Jones left at the scene
WILL HE STILL FIGHT ON MAY 23RD? NOPE!
Jones (21-1) was scheduled to defend his title against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23. That fight will now be Daniel Cormier vs Johnson. Cormier just lost to Jones in January and was scheduled to fight in New Orleans on June 6th. He was more than happy to take his second straight shot at the title, even if it is only on 3 weeks notice.
UFC executives Lorenzo Fertitta, Lawrence Epstein, and Dana White
UFC President Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta actually met with Jones in Albuquerque before stripping him of his title and suspending him indefinitely. White told reporters,
He’s very disappointed. He’s upset. He wanted to go down as one of the greats, or the greatest ever. He’s disappointed, but it is what it is. It was the decision we had to make.
For us to have to go in and strip him of his title and suspend (Jones), you know, it’s not fun
But the show goes on. Anthony Johnson is ready for this fight, and Daniel Cormier was beyond pumped to get this opportunity.
However White refused to talk about Jones personally,
I just don’t want to talk about him personally. He’s being stripped of the title. He’s being put on indefinite suspension and any question how he is should be directed toward him and his attorney.
Jones attorney said he had not prepared a statement but he did have a tweet for his fans..
Got a lot of soul searching to do. Sorry to everyone I’ve let down.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 29, 2015
This makes you wonder if Jones was high or drunk during the accident. They only found marijuana in the car. If Jones had remained at the scene, this would only be an accident. He might have received a ticket and a fine, but he would still have the respect of his fans and more importantly his contract with the UFC . Jones, with a net worth of $10 million is only 27. He had a few more good fights in him.
This is a tragic ending to a great career. The only thing I can say is….
