White: Jones Won’t Be Punished For DWI Arrest

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

After Jon Jones was arrested a few weeks ago for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) released this statement saying that gathering more information on the matter was of the utmost importance. But not much has been heard from the promotion since.

Now, company president Dana White has finally spoken out on the matter, saying that Jones will not be punished for his latest brush with the law.

“We haven’t spoken [since his arrest], but I hope he’ll fight later this year,” White told Combate this week (via BJPenn.com). “For my part there will be no penalty,” White added, erasing any suspicions that Jones might be suspended or stripped of his title after his arrest.”

Sorry, Johnny.

In 2015, Jones was suspended and stripped of his UFC title after a hit-and-run, also in Albuquerque. In his latest case, Jones reached a plea deal with the prosecutors office that got him a year of supervised probation, community service, and a couple of days of house arrest. “Bones” promised to learn from his latest legal infraction, which not only earned him some criticism from some of his colleagues, but some compassion, as well.

The Light Heavyweight champion hasn’t stepped foot inside the Octagon since edging out Dominick Reyes via split decision at UFC 247 last February in Houston, Texas to earn his eleventh title defense.

Should Jones return in 2020, the most probable opponent for the champ would likely be Jan Blachowicz, who punched his ticket to a title fight with a spectacular knockout win over Corey Anderson earlier this year (see it).