Just hours after Jon Jones officially announced his retirement from the UFC, a fresh legal issue surfaced, one that the former champion didn’t mention in his emotional farewell. Even UFC boss Dana White made it official: Jon Jones is retired. The announcement, delivered during the UFC Baku post-fight press conference, sent shockwaves across the MMA world.

 “Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White said. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”

The UFC boss’s announcement was followed by a post on X by ‘Bones’ where he wrote, “Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.”

But behind the scenes, another chapter was already unfolding.

According to Championship Rounds on X, “Jon Jones is facing a new criminal charge filed against him this past week in Albuquerque, per @ABQJournal. The Journal has learned a criminal summons accusing Jon Jones, 37, of a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident in February, was filed Tuesday in Metropolitan Court.”

So, what happened?  Per the report, Albuquerque police responded to a traffic crash near San Mateo and Lomas. There, they reportedly found a woman in the front passenger seat of one of the vehicles involved in the crash who was “exhibiting signs of significant intoxication” and wasn’t fully dressed. The woman told officers that Jon Jones had been driving but allegedly fled the scene on foot.

The timing of the charge, months after the alleged February crash, raises questions. There’s no official word yet on why it took so long to file. Also, there’s no evidence so far that this legal development played a role in Jones’ decision to retire.

Yet, Jon Jones, often praised for his in-cage brilliance, has long battled controversies outside of it.  In 2015, Jon Jones was involved in a traffic incident in which his vehicle collided with two others, including one driven by a pregnant woman.

He left the scene before authorities arrived but later turned himself in. Jones then pleaded guilty to leaving the scene and received a conditional discharge, including supervised probation and community service. Following the incident, the UFC removed him from competition and stripped him of his light heavyweight championship.

This latest incident adds to an already complex legacy. But in his farewell message to the sport, the former heavyweight champion made it clear he’s walking away on his own terms.

Jon Jones’ recent legal trouble casts a shadow over his emotional farewell to a complicated legacy

As mentioned above, following closely on the heels of Dana White’s bombshell announcement at UFC Baku, “Bones” took to social media to say goodbye in his own words. While he started off by announcing his retirement, he continued the post with, “From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever.”

In a message filled with nostalgia and surprising humility, Jones didn’t shy away from acknowledging the tough times, either. He wrote, “I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.”

He then spent some time thanking UFC executives like White, Hunter Campbell, and more before writing, “As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.”

Jon Jones began his UFC journey in 2008 and quickly made headlines with his unorthodox striking, creative movement, and dominant wrestling. By 2011, he had steamrolled through elite competition to claim the light heavyweight title by defeating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, becoming the youngest champion in UFC history at just 23 years old.

Over the next several years, Jones racked up wins over the likes of Vitor Belfort, Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson, and Daniel Cormier, building an 11-title-defense record over two reigns that still stands as a division record.

In the end, from record-breaking title reigns to repeated run-ins with the law, “Bones” leaves behind a career that will be debated for years to come. Whether this new legal charge will have lasting consequences or fade like others before it remains to be seen. But for now, Jon Jones has closed the door on fighting.