On the early morning hours of Thursday, March 26th, 2020 the UFC light heavyweight champion and superstar fighter Jon Jones was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was charged with aggravated DWI and negligent use of a firearm as well as possession of an open container and no proof of insurance. Jones was released from police custody later that Thursday morning.

The Incident

The incident began when an Albuquerque police officer responded to the sound of a gunshot at approximately 12:58 a.m. on Thursday, March 26th, 2020. As the officer approached a black Jeep, he discovered Jon Jones in the driver’s seat of the vehicle and another person outside the Jeep near the passenger side door. When the officer asked Jones about the gunshot, he claimed that he did not know where it came from. The officer noticed an open bottle of alcohol behind the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Jones’s eyes were bloodshot, watery, and he smelled strongly like booze. The police officer conducted field sobriety tests on the UFC champion, and he did not do well on the tests. Jones admitted he had been driving earlier, and that he was intending on driving later on that early morning. After being arrested Jon took a breathalyzer, and he tested at least twice the legal limit.

Jones’ Jeep was towed and from the scene. Upon being searched the Albuquerque police found a handgun underneath the driver’s seat as well as a spent shell casing outside the driver’s side door of the vehicle. The caliber of the shell casing matched the caliber of the firearm found in the Jeep. The police department proclaimed that the Gun Violence Reduction Unit will be testing the handgun and bullet shell casing in order to determine if it had been used in a crime. Jones is now scheduled for a bond arraignment hearing April 8th, 2020.

“In New Mexico, aggravated DWI carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and one year of probation, plus a mandatory penalty of 48 hours in jail. The maximum penalty for negligent use of a deadly weapon is six months in jail. The maximum penalty for no proof of insurance is 90 days in jail,” Helwani explains.

Previous Trouble for Jon Jones    

Jones has had various prior run ins with the law over the last decade. He was just off probation as recently as January of 2020 stemming from an incident at a strip club last year. He was charged with battery for slapping a strip club cocktail waitress in the genital region. In 2012 he had a previous DWI in New York, and he was convicted of a felony hit and run in 2015 resulting in probation until 2018. Jones has also failed drug tests, and the UFC fighter has spent time in rehab facilities due to his issues with drugs such as cocaine and alcohol.

Success in the Octagon

Jones has been the UFC light heavyweight champion since he won that title in 2011. He is considered to be one of the greatest pound for pound mixed martial arts fighters of all time. His overall record is 26 – 1 – 0 that includes 10 KO’s / TKO’s as well as 6 wins by submission. Hopefully Jones will stay out of trouble in the future and continue to focus on his training and fights as he is one of the best UFC competitors to watch fight. For those who enjoy sports betting, Jones has always been a safe bet for devastating his opponents in the Octagon.

Jon Jones’ Fight History

DATE OPPONENT  RESULT DECISION ROUND TIME
Feb 8, 2020 Dominick Reyes W Decision – Unanimous 5 5:00
Jul 6, 2019 Thiago Santos W Decision – Split 5 5:00
Mar 2, 2019 Anthony Smith W Decision – Unanimous 5 5:00
Dec 29, 2018 Alexander Gustafsson W KO/TKO 3 2:02
Jul 28, 2017 Daniel Cormier D No Contest 3 3:01
Apr 22, 2016 Ovince Saint Preux W Decision – Unanimous 5 5:00
Jan 2, 2015 Daniel Cormier W Decision – Unanimous 5 5:00
Apr 25, 2014 Glover Teixeira W Decision – Unanimous 5 5:00
Sep 20, 2013 Alexander Gustafsson W Decision – Unanimous 5 5:00
Apr 26, 2013 Chael Sonnen W KO/TKO 1 4:33
Sep 21, 2012 Vitor Belfort W Submission 4 0:54
Apr 21, 2012 Rashad Evans W Decision – Unanimous 5 5:00
Dec 9, 2011 Lyoto Machida W Submission 2 4:26
Sep 23, 2011 Quinton Jackson W Submission 4 1:14
Mar 18, 2011 Mauricio Rua W KO/TKO 3 2:37
Feb 4, 2011 Ryan Bader W Submission 2 4:20
Jul 31, 2010 Vladimir Matyushenko W KO/TKO 1 1:52
Mar 20, 2010 Brandon Vera W KO/TKO 1 3:19
Dec 4, 2009 Matt Hamill L DQ 1 4:14
Jul 10, 2009 Jake O’Brien W Submission 2 2:43
Jan 30, 2009 Stephan Bonnar W Decision – Unanimous 3 5:00
Aug 8, 2008 Andre Gusmao W Decision – Unanimous 3 5:00
Jul 11, 2008 Moyses Gabin W TKO 2 1:58
Jun 19, 2008 Parker Porter W KO 1 0:36
May 8, 2008 Ryan Verrett W TKO 1 0:14
Apr 24, 2008 Anthony Pina W Submission (Guillotine) 1 1:15
Apr 18, 2008 Carlos Eduardo W KO 3 0:24
Apr 11, 2008 Brad Bernard W TKO 1 1:32

Media Statements

“As part of the investigation into this incident, our Gun Violence Reduction Unit will test the firearm and bullet casing to determine whether the gun has been used in any crimes,” Albuquerque police director of communications Gilbert Gallegos stated. “Reducing gun violence in Albuquerque is our top priority.”

The UFC released a statement explaining they were aware of the situation and they have been “in contact with Jones’ management team and is currently gathering additional information.”

“Prosecutors are working with local law enforcement and will get the lapel video and other available discovery evidence from the arresting officer within the next 48 hours,” says Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Michael Patrick.