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UFC Champion Jon Jones Will Take Anger Management to Solve Assault Case

UFC Champion Jon Jones Will Take Anger Management to Solve Assault Case

UFC heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones will attend four-hour anger management classes to resolve two misdemeanor charges after becoming hostile during a drug test at his home in New Mexico.

The charges of assault, classified as a misdemeanor, and interference with communications, a misdemeanor, will be dismissed as long as Jones completes anger management classes within the next 90 days and obeys the law.

Originally, a trial was set to begin Tuesday before a judge in New Mexico. However, both the prosecutor and Jones’ defense attorney announced that a decision had been reached at the beginning of the virtual trial.

Jones previously denied the accusations in July and said the allegations were false when they emerged earlier this year.

light heavyweight champion Jon Jones
Jon Jones attends a press conference for the UFC 235 mixed martial arts event in Las Vegas on January 31, 2019. He agreed to attend four-hour anger management classes.

John Locher/AP, file

When is Jon Jones’ next match against Stipe Miocic?

Jones expressed his frustration on social media, criticizing the professionalism of drug testers and admitting to swearing out of anger.

Considered one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts history, Jones captured the heavyweight title in March 2023, scoring a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane.

This fight marked his return after a three-year absence and his debut in the heavyweight division, adding to his legacy as a record-holding light heavyweight champion with 14 title defenses.

Looking ahead, Jones will face Stipe Miocic UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 16.

The match was originally scheduled to take place last year but a chest injury forced Jones to postpone.

Why was Jon Jones on trial?

Jones has a tumultuous past, including a one-year suspension for failing a drug test in 2016.

Also victory in 2017 Daniel Cormier was reduced to a no-contest following another positive drug test.

Jones has since argued that he could pass those tests under revised standards that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency implemented in 2019.

The current situation came to light when a woman from Drug Free Sport International, the organization responsible for drug testing for professional athletes, reported an incident to Albuquerque police in April.

He accused Jones of threatening him during the testing process at his home.

How Serious Are the Allegations?

According to the criminal complaint, the woman testified that she initially found Jones cooperative but became agitated as the interaction progressed.

In his defense, Jones told police he apologized for swearing at the woman and his colleague after the test.

He also presented video footage of what appeared to be a home surveillance system; He showed a moment in which he and the woman high-fived each other before leaving, and claimed that neither tester appeared frightened during the encounter.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.