In the wake of Jon Jones’ arrest on felony hit-and-run charges, UFC president Dana White has stripped the light heavyweight champion of his title.
White made the announcement on FOX Sports 1. Anthony Johnson who was to have fought Jones for the title at UFC 187 will now meet Daniel Cormier with the title on the line.
“It’s not fun, but you know what they say: the show goes on,” White said.
Jones has been suspended from the UFC indefinitely.
“Obviously he has to focus on his legal matters right now,” White said.
White, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and COO Lawrence Epstein were all in Albuquerque to meet with Jones and his attorney Vincent Ward on Tuesday.
Per MMAFighting.com:
Jones was arrested Monday night in Albuquerque on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury. He had his felony first appearance in San Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court on Tuesday and was released on a bail continuance. Jones paid $2,500 on Monday night and freed after he was booked in the Metro Detention Center.
The judge did not put any travel restrictions on Jones on Tuesday in order to allow him to compete at UFC 187 in Las Vegas. But that won’t matter now.
Jones was allegedly the driver in a three-car, hit-and-run crash Sunday morning in Albuquerque. The New York native allegedly ran a red light in a rented Buick SUV and crashed into a car driven by a pregnant woman, who suffered a fractured arm as a result of the collision. Jones then allegedly fled the scene on foot, but not before returning to the car and grabbing a handful of cash, according to witnesses.
