Dana White has spoken out for the first time about Jon Jones recent brush with the law, which saw him repeatedly swear at a police officer while receiving five tickets for a number of different traffic violations, including ‘drag racing’.
White was less than impressed with how the former light-heavyweight champion handled the situation, and thinks Jones would be well advised to change his attitude when dealing with law enforcement.
“I haven’t talked to him obviously, he’s been a little tied up since that happened,” White said in an interview with TMZ. “Let me tell you what, when I get pulled over by the police I am the most polite human being you’ve ever met in your life. There’s no upside to talking back to the police,” White said in an interview with TMZ.
“It’s the dumbest thing you could ever do, especially if you’re in Jon Jones’ position.”
Jones was arrested earlier this week after the drag racing incident was deemed to have violated the terms of his probation, stemming from a hit-and-run incident last year.
The 28 year-old spent a few days in jail before appearing at a hearing on Thursday in which he was allowed to walk free, but only with new stipulations added to his probation agreement, including 60 hours of community service, a requirement to attend anger management classes, and also the need to seek permission from his parole officer every time he wants to drive.
The fact that he’s a free man again will no doubt be a relief to White, given that he’s currently booked to headline UFC 197 in a 205lb title rematch with Daniel Cormier on April 23rd.
However, despite the fact that Jones has now been in trouble with the law on several occasions, White isn’t holding his breath that he’ll now clean up his act and become a positive role-model in the sport.
“I don’t think Jon Jones is ever going to be the Jon Jones people expect him to be. I think Jon’s going to do Jon. I think Jon tried so hard to play the good guy for so long it drove him crazy. Jon is just going to be Jon now.”
