Albuquerque Police Seek UFC Fighter Jones In Hit-And-Run
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police are searching for UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones on Sunday night in connection with a hit-and-run accident.
Police spokesman Officer Simon Drobik said Jones is wanted for questioning about the crash, which occurred earlier in the day. No charges have been filed, but a pregnant woman driving another vehicle was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Police said they have been unable to reach Jones and have not heard back from his lawyer.
Jones (21-1) is scheduled to defend his title against Anthony "Rumble" Johnson at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23, headlining one of the promotion's biggest shows of the year.
"We are in the process of gathering facts and will reserve further comment until more information is available," the UFC said in a statement.
Although he is widely considered the world's best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist, Jones has endured legal problems and questionable behavior during his title reign.
Jones was arrested in 2012 after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole in Binghamton, New York. He had his driver's license suspended after being charged with DWI, but did no jail time.
Last August, Jones and challenger Daniel Cormier were involved in a brawl in the lobby of the MGM Grand casino while appearing at a promotional event. Jones was fined $50,000 and ordered to do community service by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
In early December, Jones tested positive for metabolites of cocaine while training for his bout. 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," but spent just 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.
Jones is a native of upstate New York, but lives in New Mexico and works under prominent local trainer Greg Jackson. Jones has two brothers who play in the NFL.
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