UFC heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones has been charged with assault and interference with communications following an incident with a drug tester.
The charges, both misdemeanors, came after drug tester Crystal Martinez of Drug Free Sports alleged that Jones assaulted her on March 30 while taking samples for her company, a partner in UFC’s anti-doping program.
Martinez alleges that she and her partner tried to get a urine sample from Jones but he told her he couldn’t, but when she suggested a blood test, Jones became frustrated, took her phone and began recording her.
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Jon Jones stands in his corner before his light heavyweight championship bout at UFC 247 event at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on February 8, 2020. (Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Martinez claims Jones appeared to be extremely drunk at the time of the incident and told people at his home that they were “going to end up dead.”
If convicted on both charges, Jones could face up to a year in prison and a fine.
Jones, 36, spoke about the incident after it happened earlier this year.
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“I want to clarify that there is video footage of two drug testers leaving my home after the testing session. We exchanged high-fives and hugs,” Jones wrote on social media. “I was annoyed at the unprofessional attitude and used foul language out of frustration, but it ended amicably and peacefully and was not threatening in any way. I was actually celebrating a friend’s birthday party at my home and I believe it is completely normal to celebrate in the comfort of your own home.”
“I must say that the inspector’s behavior was extremely unprofessional and in violation of standard protocol under HIPAA law. I have been drug tested for 20 years and have never encountered an incident like this from a DCO employee.”
Jones is arguably the greatest heavyweight mixed martial artist to ever grace the UFC Octagon, but he has had plenty of issues outside of the sport.
In September 2021, Jones was charged with domestic violence for allegedly punching his fiancée. After being detained by police in the incident, Jones headbutted a police car. The charges were later dropped, but he pleaded not guilty to tampering with a police vehicle.
Jon Jones reacts to his UFC heavyweight championship fight victory during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jeff Botali/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
A year ago, Jones was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after police responded to gunshots and found open liquor bottles and a handgun in his car.
Jones later accepted a plea deal that reduced charges of felony DUI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container, and driving without insurance to DUI only. He was placed on probation.
Jones has previously failed drug tests and was found to have used two banned substances in July 2016, forcing the UFC to remove him from its UFC 200 card.
However, USADA later found that Jones had taken a contaminated package of the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis and was unaware that it contained banned substances, but the UFC still suspended him for a year and stripped him of his interim light heavyweight title.
Jones continues to thrive in the sport despite struggling with the pain of a torn pectoral muscle he suffered during training last year.
Jon Jones (red gloves) before his fight against Thiago Santos (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. (Stephen R. Silvani – USA Today Sports)
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While he is eyeing a return to the Octagon, Britain’s Tom Aspinall retains the interim heavyweight title and is scheduled to defend it against Curtis Blaydes on July 27.
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