UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones appeared just about in courtroom in New Mexico on Wednesday and entered a not responsible plea to misdemeanor expenses 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’ expenses embody a petty misdemeanor for assault and a misdemeanor for interference with communications.
Jones will subsequent seem in courtroom 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 an alternative.
She additionally claimed Jones took her cellphone and started recording the brokers. The incident left Martinez “terrified,” she informed police. Jones has denied the account supplied by Martinez. In April, he launched a press release giving his account of what occurred.
“I used to be just 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 precipitated frustration, main me to make use of some profanity [that] I remorse.”
“Nevertheless, I need to emphasize that at no level did I threaten, get in anybody’s face, elevate my voice to anybody, or interact in any type of assault,” Jones wrote on social media.
Hey everybody,I needed to handle 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. In reality, I’m presently in Texas with my daughters at a volleyball event.I need to admit, it's…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 7, 2024
Jones is anticipated 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 struggle for the heavyweight championship towards former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane. Jones defeated Gane to grow to be a two-division UFC champion including to his already Corridor of Fame resume. The anticipated match towards Miocic will likely be Jones’ first title protection.
