- UFC light heavyweight champion Jones fails a series of sobriety tests before being escorted away in handcuffs
- Jones says ‘everything’s been going so bad’ as he struggles to hide his emotions during a fourth arrest
Police footage has emerged of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones' arrest in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Jones, who was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI), negligent use of firearm, possession of an open (alcohol) container, and no proof of insurance, appeared anxious on police officer Brian Johnson's bodycam. The footage was obtained from the Bernalillo County District Attorney by MMA Junkie.
In the video, Jones is seen sitting in his vehicle as he is approached for his details and an interview. Jones said he had consumed "a drink" of "Vodka" before getting into his car. He was then asked to step out of his vehicle for further questioning and a field sobriety test.
Jones encountered difficulties in understanding some of the physical and aptitude tests instructions before struggling to complete them. During the first walk-in-a-straight-line test, he asked the officer for clarification and a restart after revealing he has "really bad" short-term memory loss and attention deficit disorder because he "gets punched in the head for a living".
Jones said he was going "stir crazy" from his family at home and went for a drive around town. He said he was "being nice" and conversing with homeless people from his vehicle.
Following the tests, Jones is told to turn around as he is handcuffed and officially placed under arrest. Jones then becomes visibly emotional, repeating the phrase "I have anxiety".
After being given an extra link of handcuffs to avoid tightness, Jones asked surrounding officers if he could take his hoodie off. "Please, please, because my anxiety gets so bad," Jones said, to which officers explained he could do so after being transported to the police station.
Jones, while being escorted to a police vehicle, pleads once again to remove his hoodie. Officer Johnson permitted Jones to do so, asking if he wanted to take it off himself.
"No, you can, I just want you guys to feel comfortable," Jones said in a panicked tone accompanied by heavy breathing.
pic.twitter.com/Vg5KPpCU4N
" Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 20, 2020
While he is being temporarily uncuffed, Jones uttered "my family, man, so scared for my family". He then asked "hey, is everything slower because of the coronavirus or what?" before saying "everything's been going bad, I just want to be with my family".
Jones appeared to be on the verge of tears as he entered the police vehicle, asking the officer, "Sir, if it's not too much, could you roll down the window?"
MMA's pound-for-pound number one has been arrested in the past. This is his second DWI charge having received one in 2012. In 2015, he was stripped of his UFC title for his role in a hit-and-run incident involving a pregnant woman. In 2019, Jones was charged with battery for allegedly slapping a waitress at a strip club.
This moment came to mind today. March 2016, the last thing the judge told Jon Jones when he left court that day in Albuquerque, after taking a plea deal on multiple charges. pic.twitter.com/dDxvEWGuuk
" Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 26, 2020
Inside the Octagon, Jones has been handed bans for testing positive for cocaine and performance enhancers.
His latest DWI hearing will be on April 8.
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