UFC champion Jon Jones has finally commented on the widely circulated road rage video that originated in Albuquerque. He stated he was “proud” of his conduct during the confrontation, viewing his actions as a stand against vehicular intimidation.
The incident unfolded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, specifically near the intersection of Central Avenue and Eubank, a familiar locale for Jones throughout his UFC career. The encounter gained traction after 19-year-old Bryan Beltran uploaded a video to Instagram. Beltran claimed a black Ford SVT pickup, later identified as Jones’s, nearly collided with his vehicle three times while driving on Central Avenue, ultimately leading both drivers to pull into an adjacent parking lot.
In his accompanying caption, Beltran explained that his reaction stemmed from multiple close calls. He alleged that Jones’s truck “almost hit [him] 3 times” on Central Avenue, and despite Beltran revving his engine after the first near miss, the truck reportedly continued to nearly strike him twice more, prompting Beltran to make an offensive gesture.
Beltran later confirmed the other driver was indeed Jon Jones, stating he held “no hard feelings” regarding the incident. He characterized the verbal interaction, once both men were outside their cars, as tense yet brief.
The video, captured via Beltran’s Meta smart glasses, shows Jones exiting his truck and approaching Beltran’s vehicle with one hand in his pocket. Beltran can be heard accusing Jones of “almost” hitting him, to which Jones calmly responded, “You gotta calm down, bro. You gotta relax yourself, bro,” before disengaging.
Towards the end of the interaction, Jones raised his middle finger towards the camera before returning to his truck and departing the parking lot, preventing any further escalation. The video’s reception online has been divided, with some critics focusing on Jones’s gesture, while others point out his restraint, noting he avoided shouting, physical contact, or prolonging the brief verbal exchange.
Jones Responds to the Road Rage Incident
Following the widespread circulation of the video, Jones shared his account on Twitter/X, asserting that the younger driver initiated the aggression after the initial road encounter. Jones claimed, “This kid proceeded to chase my car down for two blocks, revving his engine and trying to intimidate me.” He further stated his relief, saying he was “glad this happened to me and not one of the senior citizens in our community.”
“This kid proceeded to chase my car down for two blocks, revving his engine and trying to intimidate me. I am glad this happened to me and not one of the senior citizens in our community. I am proud of myself for standing up for myself and not allowing that kind of bullying or intimidation.”
Jones’s Past Encounters with the Law
This recent road rage incident draws attention to Jones’s extensive and controversial history outside the octagon, particularly concerning his driving record. Notably, in 2015, he was placed on probation following a hit-and-run incident in New Mexico involving a pregnant woman. A decade later, in 2025, he faced a misdemeanor charge for leaving the scene of a separate crash in Bernalillo County, though prosecutors ultimately dropped that case after deeming his alibi credible.
This troubled past significantly fuels the ongoing debate surrounding the brief parking lot interaction. Both fans and critics are deliberating whether Jones’s actions represented a composed reaction to provocation or merely another concerning event in a recurring pattern that has consistently shadowed one of MMA’s most celebrated champions.
