'He will kill someone': UFC world erupts over champ's latest arrest
With vast swathes of the USA in coronavirus quarantine, notorious UFC bad boy Jon Jones has still found a way to fall foul of the law.
Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion who is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all-time, was arrested in New Mexico early Thursday and charged with numerous offences.
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These included aggravated DWI (driving while intoxicated), negligent use of a firearm, no proof of insurance in the vehicle and possession of an open container.
MMA Fighting reported that Jones performed poorly on a field sobriety test and then tested at or above the legal limit.
In New Mexico, the blood alcohol content limit is 0.08.
Officers responded to a report of gunshots. When they arrived, they found Jones in his car with the engine running.
He reportedly denied knowledge of gunshots. The police report noted officers said Jones showed signs of intoxication, and admitted he had been driving earlier.
“UFC is aware of the situation regarding Jon Jones in Albuquerque early this morning,” the UFC said in a statement.
“The organization has been in contact with Jones’ management team and is currently gathering additional information.”
The incident is a latest in a long line that have marred Jones’ career. He pleaded guilty to DUI in 2012 and in 2015, pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident in Albuquerque. He was arrested on a charge of battery in Albuquerque last year.
Jones also was suspended from competition twice for failing anti-doping tests.
News of Jones' latest arrest for allegedly driving under the influence - among other charges - has seen fans savage the fighter with a combination of outrage, disbelief and mockery on social media.
Hope Jon Jones rots in jail.
He has been warned over and over about drinking and driving. He will kill someone because of his IGNORANCE. HE HAS $$
to hire a driver FFS.#JonJonesIsNoChampion🚽🧻💩 https://t.co/rCfH0pc1fo— SadCat (@SadCat81851379) March 26, 2020
Jon Jones has somehow managed to get arrested for a DWI & use of firearm during A NATIONWIDE QUARANTINE 🤦🏽♂️ Does the UFC cut him after this? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/IzOaxYweu6
— MMA Gone Wild 🅙 (@MMAgonewild) March 26, 2020
literally everyone: *quarantined and streets empty*
jon jones: pic.twitter.com/P7OAjWX14f— upenn dropout (@jv_iv) March 26, 2020
The judge walking into court after Jon Jones promised he would never see him there again. pic.twitter.com/RosC68ZyG3
— Meat Daddy (@_meatdaddy) March 26, 2020
In the last twenty four hours:
Ashlee Evans Smith has been caught on camera stealing medical supplies
Jon Jones has been arrested for driving around drunk while bustin caps at cactuses 🌵
Mike Perry posted video of him knocking out a civilian in the streets
God bless MMA.— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) March 26, 2020
JONES FANS: So glad to see Jon staying out of trouble.
I mean, what’s he gonna do? There’s worldwide pandemic. Fire a gun? Drink and drive? Get arrested for a DWI AND discharging a firearm during a pandemic? Didn’t think so. Dream on haters 😂
JON JONES: pic.twitter.com/o6uaUDY0Cd— The MMA Dude™ (@philthemmadude) March 26, 2020
Someone told Jon Jones we’re all supposed to be in social isolation and Jon thought he meant in jail.
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) March 26, 2020
ESPN showing Jon Jones some love pic.twitter.com/clrUfQPTUc
— E S T E B A N (@SteveK_MMA) March 26, 2020
Jon Jones again......
pic.twitter.com/jJnxHtHFNR— Lord Tarifick (@TaRafiq) March 26, 2020
On March 19, 2011, he became the youngest champion in UFC history when he knocked out Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the third round of a fight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
He is 26-1 with one no contest, and the only loss on his record was a disqualification that many believe was an error made by the referee.
His no-contest was originally a knockout victory over arch rival Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017. But it was changed to a no-contest after he failed an anti-doping test.
Jones’ most recent fight was a controversial decision victory over Dominick Reyes on February 8 in Houston.
Conor McGregor makes massive donation to Irish hospitals
While Jones deals with his latest legal issues, fellow UFC stars are figuring out how to deal with global coronavirus pandemic.
Conor McGregor is one of the latest stars to make a massive donation to help fight the crisis in his native Ireland.
The 31-year-old is chipping in €1 million (A$1.8 million) worth of supplies to local hospitals, which have become overburdened by the spread of the deadly virus.
McGregor made the announcement while sharing screenshots of direct messages he shared with Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who had asked the 31-year-old to help encourage his fans to practice social distancing.
“Today I am purchasing myself €1 million worth of personal protective equipment to be deployed to all the fighting hospitals in the Leinster region, our most affected region to this date,” McGregor wrote, in part.
Thank you sincerely for your message, Minister Paschal Donohoe.
Here is my reply. pic.twitter.com/0NcnVgrKaA— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 25, 2020
“Where we would be without these brave men and women, I do not know. May God bless over them and keep them safe!”
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were more than 1,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Ireland, according to The New York Times, and nearly 450,000 cases worldwide. McGregor has been vocal amid the pandemic, and urged Irish leaders to introduce a “full lockdown” to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“This fight needs us all,” McGregor said in a video on Facebook on Tuesday. “We are all in the red corner together awaiting the bell. So let’s gather together and ring the bell ourselves, including the people of the rest of the world. True lockdown must begin, and it must begin now. A lockdown together. A lockdown united … It is time for a full lockdown, and we are ready.”
McGregor last stepped into the Octagon in January, where he knocked out Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in just 40 seconds at UFC 246 in Las Vegas.
He said shortly after that bout that he hoped to fight again before summer, however those plans will likely be scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has seemingly paralyzed the sports world.
With Yahoo Sports US