Jon “Bones” Jones wants to get his UFC light heavyweight title back, and he’s not letting anything get in his way.
The former champion has been through his share of legal trouble and UFC violations — he had a positive cocaine test last December before being stripped of his title in April for a hit-and-run — and he seemed to find some more recently. Jones was cited for driving without a license, driving without proof of insurance and driving without registration Monday, but MMAFighting.com reported he’ll only do three days of community service for it.
And Jones downplayed the incident in an Instagram video Tuesday.
“Guys, I’ve gotten my sobriety back, almost five months sober now,” Jones said. “Living happier and healthier, got rid of a lot of people who didn’t need to be in my life. I’ve completed 65 appearances talking to the youth in the community. I’m about to win a world title in a few weeks, and they’re talking about tickets.”
Jones has to complete 72 public speaking appearances as part of his conditional release for pleading guilty in September to the hit-and-run accident. He’ll fight Daniel Cormier for the light heavyweight title at UFC 197 on April 23, and he’s looking to be a symbol of redemption.
“I’m dedicating my redemption to anyone out there who feels as if they’ve failed or are currently failing themselves in life,” Jones wrote on Facebook on Monday. “I want you to know that there is still so much greatness inside of you, even if you feel you haven’t displayed it yet.
“Never lose hope or lose sight of your goals/dreams or what you may look like at your true potential. Believe a bright future was meant for you. Know that you are still in the race. Dreams coming true are possible for those who refuse to give up. Feel free to make a change.”
Thumbnail photo via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports Images
