Dana White's message to Jon Jones: Don't curse out law enforcement.
The UFC president talked about the Jon Jones situation in a video interview with TMZ Sports on Thursday afternoon. The comments came just hours after Jones admitted to a probation violation in New Mexico Second Judicial District Court and had three provisions added to his existing probation period.
"I don't think Jon Jones is ever going to be the Jon Jones that people expect him to be," White said. "Jon is gonna do Jon. I think that Jon tried so hard to play the good guy for so long, it drove him crazy. And Jon is just gonna be Jon now."
Jones, 28, will have to take courses in anger management and driver improvement and he cannot drive unless given permission from his probation officer. He also has 60 hours of community service added to his already completed 76 appearances. The former light heavyweight champion still has another year on probation.
Jones will still meet Daniel Cormier in the UFC 197 main event for the light heavyweight title, the UFC confirmed Thursday in a statement.
Last week, Jones was pulled over and given five traffic tickets, including one for drag racing. He vehemently denied the allegation to the cop and was heard on the officer's body camera calling him a "f*cking liar" and "pig."
"When I get pulled over by the police, I am the most polite human being you've ever met in your life," White said. "There's no upside to talking back to the police. It's the dumbest thing you can ever do, especially if you're in Jon Jones' position."
Traffic tickets wouldn't be a big deal had Jones not already been on probation after pleading guilty in a felony hit-and-run case in September. At that time, he was given a conditional discharge, which included an 18-month probation term as well as 72 hours of community service. The felony will be wiped away if Jones is without incident at the conclusion of the probation period.
Jones was arrested on the probation violation charge on Tuesday and remained in custody at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center until his release following the hearing Thursday.
"I haven't talked to him, honestly," White said. "He's been a little tied up since that happened."
Judge Michael Martinez told Jones on Thursday that if he goes before the court again that it "won't go well" for him.
TMZ said the full White video interview will air Thursday night at 9 p.m. PT.
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