UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is facing a battery charge stemming from an alleged incident that took place back in April in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi.
According to the report which cites a criminal summons from the Albuquerque Police Department that ESPN obtained, Jones is accused of slapping a cocktail waitress in her genital area at a strip club, pulling her down to his lap and kissing her neck.
The alleged victim says that Jones, who was attending the strip club with his brother and NFL player Chandler Jones, “placed her down by the bar and slapped her p***y.”
According to KRQE television in Albuquerque, the woman told police that Jones placed her in a chokehold and picked her up off the ground and when she asked Jones to stop, Jones continued touching her until he decided to leave.
“I just don’t want to deal with this person” the woman told police. “I think he is a f—ing piece of s—. The whole situation is so complicated and I’m not really sure what to say and this person gets away with f—ing everything.”
Jones’ spokesperson James Hallinan says that Jones was unaware of the charge until his team was contacted by KRQE.
“Today, the media told Mr. Jones about a false accusation launched against him and that paperwork had been sent to an incorrect address,” Hallinan said in a statement to KRQE. “However, after receiving the documents from the press, Mr. Jones immediately went to pay the small fee, and he, and multiple witnesses, stand ready to factually refute the malicious lies being told about him to the public.”
ESPN reported that a letter sent to Jones by Albuquerque police was returned in June, and a bench warrant was issued for Jones back on June 12th when he failed to show up for a bond arraignment.
Jones paid a $300 cash bond on Sunday, and his next court date is not yet scheduled.
Jones took to social media on Monday to respond to the situation, saying he is “definitely not in any trouble” and warning everyone “don’t be so quick to believe everything you read on the internet”.
Jones (25-1, 1 NC) has had multiple issues outside of the octagon throughout his career.