Jones reaches agreement to drop misdemeanour charges

Jon Jones made his heavyweight debut in March 2023, becoming a two-division champion

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has reached a pre-adjudication agreement for two misdemeanour charges against him to be dismissed.

The charges relate to an incident in March when the 37-year-old American was summoned to court following allegations he verbally threatened to kill a female anti-doping officer.

The court ruled that the charges will be dropped if Jones completes four hours of anger management classes and stays out of legal trouble for the next 90 days.

Jones appeared in court remotely via video link where his attorney confirmed the agreement between the defence and prosecutors.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the justice system for reaching a prompt resolution in this matter, which affirms my innocence and enables me to maintain my focus on the upcoming fight," Jones posted on X.

A former light-heavyweight champion, Jones is set to defend his heavyweight title against fellow American Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York on 16 November.

"I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to defend my heavyweight title," added Jones.

The two charges of assault and interference with communications were made against Jones after he allegedly got into an altercation with drug testing officers at his home in Albuquerque.

In a police department report seen by the BBC, the complainant said Jones was intoxicated, threatened to kill her and took her phone after he was asked to give a urine sample in the presence of two anti-doping officers.

Jones is regarded as one of the best mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters of all time having won 27 fights and losing once - a disqualification against Matt Hamill in 2009.

He has served two doping bans during his 16-year career, but on both occasions the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) said it was satisfied the New York-born fighter had not intentionally doped.

Jones has not fought since winning the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in 2023 to become a two-division UFC champion.

He was set to defend his title against Miocic last November, but the bout was postponed after Jones withdrew injured 17 days before the fight.