Ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones pleaded guilty on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident and was therefore granted a conditional discharge Tuesday.
As part of the ruling, Jones was given 18 months of supervised probation. He also is required to make 72 appearances doing charity work and speaking with children, according to MMAFighting.com.
At the end of the 18-month period, Jones will be re-sentenced, but as long as he does not violate the probation, it’s unlikely he’ll be charged with the felony.
“With regards to today’s decision made by the court, I am very happy to now be able to put this incident behind me,” Jones said Tuesday in a statement released to the media following the ruling, via MMAFighting.com. “My actions have caused pain and inconvenience in the lives of others and for that I am truly sorry and I accept full responsibility.
“I have been working hard during this time away from my sport to grow and mature as a man and to ensure that nothing like this happens again. I have learned a great deal from this situation and I am determined to emerge a better person because of it. I apologize to those who were affected by my actions in this incident and I am hopeful that I will be given the opportunity to redeem myself in the eyes of the public, my family and friends as well as my supporters. I am not sure what the future holds for me but I plan to continue to do the work needed to be productive and successful in every aspect of my life.”
UFC president Dana White, who was present at the hearing, also released a statement regarding Jones’ status with the mixed martial arts company.
“The UFC organization is aware that Jon Jones reached a plea agreement with authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico this morning stemming from charges associated with a motor vehicle accident earlier this year,” the statement read. “As a result, UFC, through Las Vegas-based law firm Campbell & Williams, will thoroughly review the agreement before discussing Jones’ possible reinstatement to return to competition
“More information will be made available following completion of this review.”
Jones turned himself in to authorities in April after crashing a rented SUV into a pregnant woman’s car and then fleeing the scene. She suffered broken bones but has fully recovered. Jones was suspended indefinitely and stripped of his title the next day.
Thumbnail photo via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports Images
