The verdict is finally out on former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion Jon Jones, and somehow he is lucky to have escaped possible jail time.
It will be recalled that Bones ran a red light back in April in Albuquerque driving a rented Buick SUV. His recklessness eventually resulted in him hitting another vehicle driven by a pregnant woman.
What made the incident worse was the fact that Jones fled the scene. Although he did come back, it was because he took a handful of cash before fleeing once more.
Jones was pinpointed by authorities when they found some mixed martial arts (MMA) memorabilia and papers in the abandoned vehicle. Aside from that, a marijuana pipe, condoms, and snacks were found in the vehicle.
Jones would turn himself in 24-hours later when a warrant was issued for his arrest. The UFC eventually stripped him of his title, which would later on be won by Daniel Cormier when he defeated Anthony Johnson in May.
Instead of jail time, Jones was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation as well as making 72 speaking appearances to avoid felony conviction. Should he satisfy those requirements, there is a chance for his probation end earlier.
"Mr. Jones, you got real lucky, and in a number of ways, I think you need to talk to young people because making one stupid decision changes your entire future," Judge Charles Brown of the Second Judicial District Court said.
Cormier is one of the eager fighters awaiting his return. Cormier was handed his first defeat by Jones at UFC 182 back in January and is looking for a rematch.
While such rematch remains to be seen, Cormier needs to take care of business first as he faces Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192 this weekend in Houston.
Like Cormier, Gustafsson wants a piece of Jones as well, having lost to the former champion during UFC 165 held in 2013.
