Jon Jones’ reps confident latest legal issue won’t stand in way of UFC 197 title fight

Jon Jones’ reps today issued a statement of support in the wake of his arrest on a parole violation, saying the former UFC light heavyweight champion should be vindicated once the facts of his case are brought to light.

Jones’ PR and crisis management firm, EAG Sports, also expressed confidence his latest legal issue won’t stand in the way of his chance to win back the title at UFC 197, which takes place April 23 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“We don’t anticipate this hindering the fight” read the statement, which was emailed to MMAjunkie. “Jon and his legal team are taking this very seriously and will let the legal process play itself out. We are confident that Jon will be released once the facts of this case are explained and reviewed.”

As of now, Jones sits in the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center after being taken into custody this morning. He is being held without bail pending a hearing, which according to ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto could come as early as Wednesday morning.

Jones (21-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), 28, is scheduled to rematch champ Daniel Cormier (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who won the title after he was stripped of the belt in the wake of a hit-and-run accident that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm.

Cormier declined comment on his arrest. The two previously fought to a decision at UFC 182 with Jones emerging the winner by unanimous decision.

The UFC said it’s in contact with Jones’ legal team and will reserve comment on the situation while it is still pending. Jones is repped by Albuquerque-based attorney Vincent Ward, who also defended the fighter after his hit-and-run.

This past Thursday, Jones was given five traffic citations for drag racing, exhibition driving, weaving, failing to properly display his license plate, and modifying his exhaust pipe. In a lapel camera video of his traffic stop, Jones vehemently denies drag racing and said he was merely revving the engine of his Chevy Corvette for fans.

The citations, which come one month after a trio of separate citations for failing to carry the proper driver documentation, apparently triggered Jones’ arrest. The Albuquerque police department spokesperson told MMAjunkie it did not take him into custody and referred further questions to the New Mexico Department of Corrections. Multiple attempts to contact the NMDC for information on Jones’ arrest were unsuccessful.

The NMDC oversees Jones as he serves an 18-month supervised probation as part of a plea agreement on a single felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving bodily harm. As a requirement of a plea agreement, he agreed to give 72 speaking appearances and not break any laws while under probation.

A spokesperson for the Albuquerque district attorney’s office expressed surprise that the fighter had been taken into custody prior to his latest traffic case going to court. If Jones is formally found to have violated his probation, he could be forced to serve the remainder of his sentence in jail, though the spokesperson, Phil Sisneros, said it’s premature to say what’s next in the case.

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