UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is facing a battery charge stemming from an alleged incident in an Albuquerque strip club in April, according to KRQE television in Albuquerque, N.M.
According to Albuquerque Police, as reported by KRQE, a cocktail waitress at TD’s Eubank Showclub claims Jones slapped her inappropriately, yanked her down to his lap and kissed her neck while she was working. The waitress, whose name wasn’t released, also claims that the UFC star locked her in a chokehold and continued to touch her despite her asking him to stop until he left the venue.
He was charged with battery at the time, but he didn’t show up to a bond arraignment in June, thus prompting a bench warrant, according to KRQE. But the same news outlet reported that the warrant was dropped due to Jones paying a cash bond on Sunday. Phone calls and an email from Sporting News to the Albuquerque Police weren’t immediately returned.
"Today, the media told Mr. Jones about a false accusation launched against him and that paperwork had been sent to an incorrect address," James Hallinan, a spokesperson for Jones, told KRQE News 13 in a statement. "However, after receiving the documents from the press, Mr. Jones immediately went to pay the small fee, and he, and multiple witnesses, stand ready to factually refute the malicious lies being told about him to the public."
Jones himself also took to Twitter on Monday to dismiss the report and allegations.
I’m definitely not in any trouble my friend, don’t be so quick to believe everything you read on the Internet. 🤙🏾 https://t.co/d3GPuRDfpb
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 22, 2019
I know there’s a whole bunch of people hoping for my downfall but there’s even more who are proud of me and love seeing me do well. And screw staying inside, I love this community.. excited to keep climbing, haters going to be mad when I win in December 😩 https://t.co/dmTH0x2Grv
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 22, 2019
Jones, widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time, isn’t a stranger to trouble outside of the Octagon. He pleaded guilty to a felony hit-and-run in 2015 and pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in 2012.
He also failed two drug tests administered by USADA over the past three years.
The latest news comes after Jones (25-1 with 1 No-Contest) scored a split decision win over Thiago Santos on July 6.
