UFC heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones has agreed to attend four hours of anger management classes to resolve misdemeanor charges related to a drug test incident at his New Mexico home. The charges of assault and interference with communication will be dismissed if Jones completes the anger management classes and abides by all laws over the next 90 days.
Jones, known as one of the top MMA fighters, claimed the allegations were baseless when they first surfaced earlier this year. He admitted to cursing out of frustration after feeling caught off guard by what he perceived as unprofessional behavior from one of the testers.
In March 2023, Jones secured the heavyweight title with a first-round submission over Ciryl Gane, marking his return to the octagon after a three-year hiatus. He holds the record for the most light heavyweight title wins with 14 victories.
Next, Jones is set to face Stipe Miocic in UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The two fighters were initially scheduled to meet last year, but Jones had to postpone due to a pectoral injury.
Notably, Jones has faced previous suspensions and controversies related to failed drug tests. In 2016, he was suspended for a year after a positive drug test, and his 2017 victory over Daniel Cormier was overturned to a no-contest for the same reason. Jones argued that under revised standards by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in 2019, he would have passed the tests.
The recent incident that led to the misdemeanor charges involved a woman from Drug Free Sport International, who accused Jones of being hostile during a drug test at his home. While Jones initially cooperated, the woman reported that he became agitated during the process. Jones provided video footage showing a seemingly amicable interaction at the end of the test, with the woman giving him a high-five before leaving.
