MMA
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

UFC's Jon Jones released on bond, facing felony charge after hit-and-run

MMA, UFC

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been released on bond after turning himself in to police Monday after a hit-and-run incident he was allegedly involved in a day earlier in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Online police records that included a mug shot but few other details indicated Jones was released.

The Albuquerque Police Department had reported Jones to be in custody via Twitter earlier Monday night, and the UFC acknowledged to ESPN that Jones was in custody and that the sanctioning body was "still in the process of gathering facts." 

Jones is facing a felony charge. Albuquerque police spokesman Tanner Tixier confirmed to ESPN.com that the 25-year-old pregnant woman driving the car Jones allegedly struck in southeastern Albuquerque suffered a broken arm.

According to the arrest warrant, the woman also suffered a wrist injury and is scheduled for an ultrasound Tuesday.

"The preliminary statement that the woman suffered 'non-serious' injury was not entirely accurate," Tixier said. "She did suffer a broken arm. That is confirmed."

Jones will be charged with leaving the scene of a crime, a felony charge that potentially carries jail time, according to Tixier. Prior to knowledge of the injury, Jones was facing a potential misdemeanor.

According to the police report, witnesses saw a man fitting Jones' description leave the silver SUV that struck the woman's vehicle before stopping and returning to the car to grab a "large handful of cash." The man then "shoved the cash into his pants" and fled the scene.

Tixier identified the vehicle left behind as a rental. A marijuana pipe with marijuana inside it was found in the car. No other drugs were found.

Jones (21-1) is scheduled to defend his 205-pound title against Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 on May 23 in Las Vegas. The UFC has not announced a change on the card, and representatives for Johnson have told ESPN.com they have not been notified of a change in opponent.

UFC released a statement Sunday night that read: "We are aware that the Albuquerque Police Department is interested in speaking to Jon Jones regarding his possible involvement in a motor vehicle accident. We are in the process of gathering facts and will reserve further comment until more information is available."

ESPN reached out to Jones' camp for comment Sunday night, but the camp has yet to respond. Jones moved to Albuquerque, the base of his longtime gym, Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA, full time earlier this year.

In May 2012, Jones was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he crashed his Bentley into a telephone pole in Binghamton, New York. Jones pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DWI charge and avoided jail time.

In early December, Jones tested positive for metabolites of cocaine while training for his bout against Daniel Cormier. Jones was allowed to compete because the test was conducted out of competition, and he beat Cormier at UFC 182.

When the failed drug test became public, Jones publicly apologized for a "mistake" and spent one day in a drug rehabilitation center before checking himself out.

Jones has defended his belt eight times since becoming the youngest champion in UFC history in March 2011.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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