Jon Jones, former UFC two-division champion, issued a statement after hit-and-run misdemeanor charges were dropped on September 2, 2025, tied to a February 21, 2025, car crash in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The charges, leaving the scene of an accident and using a telephone to intimidate, stemmed from a woman’s claim that Jones drove her car and fled after a collision. Phone records provided by his attorney, Christopher Dodd, proved Jones was not present, leading the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office to dismiss the case. Jones expressed relief and criticized the accusation that disrupted his retirement.
Jones’ Statement on Dismissal
Jones thanked the authorities for their review.
“I want to begin by thanking the district attorney’s office for carefully reviewing the facts and ultimately vindicating me completely,” he wrote on social media. “I have always believed in the importance of truth and fairness, and I am grateful that the evidence spoke for itself. The simple fact is this: I was never there. I never even left my house that night, and all the evidence proved that. In this case, there was a rush to judgment before any real evidence was gathered.”
He addressed public perception.
“I understand that, in the court of public opinion, the allegations may have seemed believable, especially given my past mistakes. But by the time these claims were made public, I had just retired from competition, and that moment was stolen from me by someone who made false accusations to avoid a DWI and any real accountability.”
Jones called for justice.
“I sincerely hope that this individual is held responsible by Albuquerque’s law enforcement. They not only disrupted my retirement but also made our police department appear negligent in the process. It is deeply troubling that, in today’s world, a single false accusation can take so much away from someone before any evidence is even considered.”
I want to begin by thanking the district attorney’s office for carefully reviewing the facts and ultimately vindicating me completely. I have always believed in the importance of truth and fairness, and I am grateful that the evidence spoke for itself. The simple fact is this: I…
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) September 2, 2025
The state confirmed the dismissal.
“After further investigation, the State has reason to believe the defendant’s alibi defense is credible,” per court documents.
On February 21, 2025, a two-vehicle crash occurred near San Mateo and Lomas in Albuquerque. A woman, found in the passenger seat, half-dressed and showing signs of intoxication, claimed Jones drove her car and fled on foot. She told police they consumed alcohol and psilocybin mushrooms at Jones’ home, and he was the last person she recalled driving.
During police interaction, she called a man she claimed was Jones, who made threatening remarks, including, “My brothers, they kill people for way less,” per bodycam footage. Jones later referenced this call in a deleted X post, stating, “whoever was on the phone with me at first, his timestamp is different,” suggesting he was defensive.
Dodd provided phone records showing Jones was at home. “As Jon’s lawyer, I am stunned by the Albuquerque Police Department’s decision to charge him in this new case,” he told Sportsnet. He suggested the woman’s claim aimed to avoid DWI charges. An earlier charge was dropped on August 14, 2025, leaving two charges until the final dismissal.
Dodd criticized police actions. “Based on the criminal complaint, it looks like they went so far as to seek a warrant for Jon’s cell phone records while conducting a misdemeanor traffic investigation. I have never heard of such a thing,” he sais.
Jon Jones, 38, has a 27-1 MMA record with 1 no-contest. He turned pro in 2008, going 6-0 before joining the UFC. At UFC 87, he defeated Andre Gusmao by unanimous decision. Jones won the light heavyweight title at UFC 128 in 2011 against Mauricio Rua at age 23, becoming the youngest UFC champion. He defended the light heavyweight title eight times, beating Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and others. Jones moved to heavyweight, winning the title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023 and defending it against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024. His only loss was a disputed disqualification to Matt Hamill in 2009, contested by UFC president Dana White. Jones retired in June 2025 but re-entered the UFC drug-testing pool for a potential 2026 White House event.
