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Jon Jones enters guilty plea for DWI

ESPN staff
May 1, 2012
Jon Jones will still fight Dan Henderson © Getty Images
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UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones entered a guilty plea on Tuesday in Binghamton City Court to one misdemeanour charge of driving while intoxicated.

The 24-year-old Jones was released pending sentencing on June 19. He must undergo an alcohol abuse and dependency evaluation by the court.

A plea agreement with the Broome County District Attorney's office calls for Jones to receive a one-year conditional discharge and a fine to be determined by the judge. An ignition interlock device will be placed in his car for six months, and he is required to attend a victim impact panel class focused on the effects of driving under the influence.

Jones was arrested in the early morning hours on May 19 after his 2012 Bentley struck a utility pole. Jones refused a breath alcohol test at the scene, the Broome County DA's office confirmed, though he admitted to police that he'd been drinking.

Despite Jones' legal troubles, UFC president Dana White confirmed that the budding star would remain in a September 1 title defence against Dan Henderson.

"He's a young kid and he's going to need a lot of guidance," White told reporters over the weekend. "The kid is incredibly talented. He's starting to make tons of money and he's getting really famous. Those are all the recipes for disaster."

Traffic violations against Jones for making an improper turn and deviating from a direct course were dismissed at the arraignment on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on ESPN.com

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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