Rep: Jon Jones was speeding, is fully licensed and insured

A rep for Jon Jones said the former former light-heavyweight champion was speeding when he was pulled over Jan. 31 by Albuquerque, N.M., police and “fully cooperated” before being issued a citation.

“He will be in traffic court on Wednesday like everyone else that gets a speeding ticket,“ Denise White wrot in an email to MMAjunkie. “Nothing to read into here but he was speeding. He is fully licensed and insured.”

Jones, 28, wasn’t cited for speeding, but for driving without a driver’s license, proof of insurance or registration. He is due in Albuquerque Metropolitan court on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. MT.

White, CEO of Jones’ PR and crisis management firm, EAG Sports, did not immediately respond to a follow-up email asking for clarification on the fighter’s charges.

The traffic trouble is potentially problematic for Jones, who’s scheduled to headline UFC 197 in April, because he’s still serving 18 months of supervised probation that was ordered with a plea agreement stemming from a hit-and-run accident. Under the terms of his probation, he is forbidden from breaking any laws.

The Albuquerque district attorney’s office and UFC officials said they are looking into the issue.

“Our office has the discretion to pursue a revocation of probation if an alleged incident arises to the level of a substantial violation of probation,” wrote Kayla Anderson, public information officer for Albuquerque’s second judicial district attorney’s office. “Our office makes that determination after we have examined all the facts surrounding the incident. As of today, we do not have enough information about the Jan. 31 incident to make that determination, but we will examine the matter.”

It’s unclear whether UFC officials were aware of Jones’ current trouble when they announced his rematch with champ Daniel Cormier at UFC 197, which takes place April 23 in Las Vegas.

Jones (21-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) hopes to win back the title that was stripped by the promotion in the wake of his accident. He hasn’t fought since defending his belt against Cormier (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who went on to win the vacant belt, at UFC 182.

As MMAjunkie reported earlier today, Jones has been repeatedly cited for driving infractions and once pled guilty to driving while intoxicated. But according to White, he is making a concerted effort to turn around his life and pass on a message of positivity while fulfilling the terms of his probation, which include giving 72 public speaking engagements.

For more on UFC 197, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

view original article >>