UFC formally clears Jon Jones to return
Effective immediately, Jones is eligible to return to competition. The UFC is currently discussing with Jones a potential date for his return to the Octagon.
In April former UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones was arrested for felony leaving the scene of an accident, and was stripped of his title and suspended indefinitely.
Late in September he plead guilty to a single charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving an injury, and avoided jail time.
The court mandated 72 speaking appearances. In addition, Jones will be subject to 18 months of supervised probation.
Now the UFC has formally announced that they have unsuspended Jones, and that the fighter is cleared to return to fighting.
Following a review of the plea agreement reached by Jon Jones and officials in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the judge’s decision, UFC announced today the formal reinstatement of Jones to the UFC roster. Effective immediately, Jones is eligible to return to competition. As such, UFC expects Jones to meet all of the terms of his plea agreement, including mandatory community service, as a condition of his reinstatement.
UFC is currently discussing with Jones a potential date for his return to the Octagon.
We’ve made it clear to Jon that this new opportunity to compete in UFC is a privilege and not a right, and that there are significant expectations we have regarding his conduct moving forward,” said UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. We’re happy to read and see reports that he has embraced the terms of his plea agreement and is using this experience to grow and develop as a person.
I am thankful to be able to do what I love once again and I look forward to proving myself as a champion in and outside of the Octagon, Jones said.
Jones offered a statement on Facebook.
I am grateful for the opportunity to resume my career and I am excited to show how much I’ve grown as a person outside of the octagon. It took me losing almost everything I had worked for to realize how much I had. I am blessed and humbled by the continued support of the MMA community and I can’t thank my fans enough for their unwavering support through my ups and downs. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life and my career and let me assure you, the best is yet to come.
Some fans who have followed Jones on social media for a while went out on a limb and guessed that that might not be Jones actually typing the words.
The UFC is on record as saying Jones will be a title shot when he returns. Cormier is currently taking a much needed vacation.