Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones took a plea deal in his recent domestic battery case, allowing him to leave the courtrooms with a small fine and counseling as his only penalties.
Jones appeared in from of the Las Vegas Justice Court in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Tuesday, where he pleaded nolo contendere to a misdemeanor destroying property of another charge, per a report from Marc Raimondi of ESPN.
This charge, which resulted in owing $750 in restitution to the victim and anger management counseling for Jones, was significantly less serious than his previous charges of misdemeanor domestic battery and felony tampering with a vehicle.
“Nolo contendere,” a Latin phrase that means “no contest,” is a legal term that allows a defendant to accept punishment for a charge while not accepting or denying responsibility, per the Cornell Legal Information Institute.
The charge stems from an incident in September where it was alleged that Jones got into a domestic violence altercation and then damaged a police vehicle while being detained.
Jones has had numerous run-ins with the law, including pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated, driving while under influence, and a felony hit-and-run charge.
The former champ last fought in early 2020, defeating Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. He has since vacated his light heavyweight belt and plans to make his heavyweight debut in 2022.
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