Jon Jones Officially Reinstated By UFC

After receiving an 18-month conditional discharge for April hit-and-run charges in New Mexico, transcendent former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been officially reinstated by the UFC.

The champ was stripped of his title and indefinitely suspended by the promotion after a long list of drug and alcohol-related incidents. He allegedly left a 25-year-old pregnant Albuquerque woman with a broken arm and fled the scene only to come back and grab a large amount of cash while leaving drugs and paraphernalia behind, but now he’s back in the UFC in less than six months.

Here is the UFC’s official statement on Jones:

Following a review of the plea agreement reached by Jon Jones and officials in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the judge’s decision, UFC announced today the formal reinstatement of Jones to the UFC roster. Effectively immediately, Jones is eligible to return to competition. As such, UFC expects Jones to meet all of the terms of his plea agreement, including mandatory community service, as a condition of his reinstatement.

UFC is currently discussing with Jones a potential date for his return to the Octagon.

“We’ve made it clear to Jon that this new opportunity to compete in UFC is a privilege and not a right, and that there are significant expectations we have regarding his conduct moving forward,” said UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. “We’re happy to read and see reports that he has embraced the terms of his plea agreement and is using this experience to grow and develop as a person.”

“I am thankful to be able to do what I love once again and I look forward to proving myself as a champion in and outside of the Octagon,” Jones said.