Jon 'Bones' Jones Pleads Guilty to DUI; UFC President Comments on Arrest
Jon "Bones" Jones, the 24-year-old Christian UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, recently pleaded guilty to a DUI charge while acknowledging that he made a poor decision.
Jones was arrested earlier this month after hitting a telephone pole with his 2012 Bentley. On Monday, he entered a guilty plea in a Binghamton, N.Y., courtroom which may result in a fine and completion of an alcohol abuse and dependency assessment before his sentencing takes place, according to Sports World Report.
Although the fighter took to his Facebook page to apologize and vent about the situation, his message to fans, supporters and critics was later deleted.
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"Man I haven't added anyone new to my Facebook page in like three years and right now I'm so glad that I haven't. It has literally been sickening to have so many people try to kick me while I'm down," Jones said. "At the same time, I totally understand, I gave them the leeway to. I screwed up, big time."
Despite the criticism he received as a Christian athlete who was caught driving under the influence of alcohol, Jones thanked his supporters.
"Always having to deal with so many critics, haters and fickle mma fans, I almost forgot how strong of a home base I had (607 and people that knew me before I was a champion fighter)," Jones wrote on Facebook. "Although the hell that will come with this hasn't even started yet, I want you guys to know how much better you've all made me feel, not only about this situation but about life, everything."
Some people took to Twitter to express their disappointment in Jones' choice to drive while intoxicated.
"Bones Jones first statements about his DUI crash has pretty much lost the points he's earned from me," one fan tweeted. "Right Jon, how DARE they hate on you."
Another person said they lost respect for the fighter.
"Jon Bones Jones arrested with DWI," another person tweeted. "Lost all respect."
Although Jones admitted to being frustrated with the situation, he apologized to fans for his behavior.
"I'm truly sorry to those of you that I may have embarrassed in any way, to those of you with kids that I may have let down. I will prove to them as well as to myself, that no matter what is happening in life, we can always work our way back and make things even better than before," Jones wrote. "Reading you guys' uplifting comments was a great reminder for me to not give up on who I am or all the hateful people. I'm not gonna allow this situation to outweigh the positive."
Still, Dana White, president of the UFC, seems to have forgiven Jones mistakes.
"He's a good kid. He made a stupid mistake," White told Inside MMA. "Everybody was at that age where they jumped in the car, drove home and the next day they said I can't believe that I drove home last night. I know for a fact Jon has learned from this and hopefully he can educate other people."
