Jon Jones Involved in Roadside Confrontation with Driver in Albuquerque
Mixed Martial Arts fighter Jon Jones was involved in a roadside confrontation with another driver, Bryan Beltran, on Saturday evening in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The incident, captured on video and circulated online, involved differing accounts from both individuals regarding the events that transpired. Jones later issued a statement via social media, as did Beltran.
Incident Details: Road Rage Unfolds
The confrontation occurred after Beltran, driving a separate vehicle, claimed Jones's truck nearly struck his vehicle multiple times. Beltran stated he responded by revving his car and making a negative gesture towards Jones. According to Beltran's account, Jones then stopped his vehicle in the road, backed up, and entered the same parking lot as Beltran.
A video of the incident shows Jones exiting his truck to confront Beltran. In the footage, Jones is heard instructing Beltran to "calm down" and "relax," and is seen displaying a middle finger towards the camera before departing.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
On Sunday, Jon Jones addressed the incident in a tweet, stating:
"This kid proceeded to chase my car down for two blocks, revving his engine and trying to intimidate me. I am glad this happened to me and not one of the senior citizens in our community. I am proud of myself for standing up for myself and not allowing that kind of bullying or intimidation."
Bryan Beltran, who posted the video on his Instagram account (@bryanbeltran6), initially suggested Jones was armed in the clip, though this assertion was not confirmed by official reports. Beltran later clarified that he did not possess a weapon and did not attempt to escalate the confrontation. He also stated that he harbors no ill will towards Jones but emphasized the importance of safe driving, suggesting Jones should exercise greater caution while behind the wheel. Beltran recognized Jones as a former UFC champion during the incident.
Background: History of Vehicle-Related Incidents and Recent Challenges
Jon Jones has a documented history of incidents involving vehicles. In April 2015, he was involved in a hit-and-run collision in which he crashed into another vehicle, driven by a pregnant woman, and subsequently fled the scene. This incident resulted in Jones being stripped of a UFC light heavyweight title and a six-month suspension from competition. He later pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a crash. In March 2020, Jones was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated (DWI).
The current incident follows recent reports of a dispute between Jones and UFC CEO Dana White regarding Jones's exclusion from a White House event. Jones is also reportedly undergoing rehabilitation for a hip injury.