Jon Jones, the former UFC champion, is under scrutiny following a February 21 traffic incident in New Mexico, where body camera footage shows a troubling interaction with police. This latest episode adds to Jones’ ongoing challenges with law enforcement as part of his widely reported legal troubles. The footage reveals a phone call during which Jones purportedly made threatening remarks to an officer investigating the crash.
Footage Captures Alleged Threat and Confusing Scene
The incident began when police responded to a crash involving a wrecked vehicle with an intoxicated passenger. This woman, lacking appropriate coverage over her lower body, claimed Jones was driving and had fled the scene after the accident. During the stop, she made a phone call to someone she identified as Jones, handing the phone to the officer mid-conversation. The person on the line, believed to be Jones, sounded intoxicated and made alarming statements.
According to TMZ Sports, the individual on the call said,
“My brothers, they kill people for way less.”
—a statement that prompted the responding officer to immediately request backup. The officer informed the arriving personnel of the troubling nature of the comments and later called back the man on the phone, identified as the 37-year-old retired UFC fighter from Rochester.
Legal Consequences and Defense from Jon Jones’ Attorney
Following the incident, Jon Jones was charged with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident. His attorney, Christopher Dodd, strongly denied that Jones was driving or even present in the car at the time, labeling the case as “baseless” and expressing confidence it would be dismissed. A court hearing is scheduled for July 24, where these claims will be examined further amid Jones’ complicated history with police.
Jones’ Recent Retirement and Continuing Challenges Outside the Octagon
Jones appeared to close his UFC career last November with a decisive win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, where he successfully defended his heavyweight title before announcing his retirement. Despite stepping away from professional fighting, this new police incident demonstrates continued struggles with legal and personal issues. The case and its unfolding legal process could have significant effects on his post-UFC life and public image, underscoring ongoing conflicts beyond the sport.