Jon Jones Reacts to Viral Road Rage Video: "I am glad this happened"
Jon Jones has finally addressed the widely circulated road rage video from Albuquerque, expressing pride in his handling of the confrontation. He characterized his actions as a stand against intimidation on the road.
The incident unfolded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, near the intersection of Central Avenue and Eubank, an area long familiar to Jones during his UFC career. Bryan Beltran, 19, posted a video of the encounter on Instagram, alleging that a black Ford SVT pickup "almost hit" him three times while driving on Central. Both vehicles subsequently pulled into a nearby parking lot.
Beltran's Instagram caption detailed his reaction, stating he revved his engine after the first near-miss, yet the other driver still nearly struck him twice more, prompting Beltran to flip him off. He later identified the other driver as Jon Jones, describing the exchange as tense but brief, with no lasting animosity.
The video, recorded on Beltran’s Meta smart glasses, shows Jones exiting his truck and approaching Beltran's vehicle with his left hand in his pocket. Beltran is heard asserting that Jones "almost" hit him. Jones responded, "You gotta calm down, bro. You gotta relax yourself, bro," before turning away. As the interaction concluded, Jones raised his middle finger toward the camera, then returned to his vehicle and departed the parking lot without further escalation. The clip has sparked varied reactions online, with some focusing on the gesture while others commended Jones for maintaining a relatively calm demeanor, avoiding shouts or physical advancement.
Jones Breaks Silence on Road Rage Incident
Following the video’s widespread circulation, Jones shared his own account on Twitter/X. He accused the younger driver of being the primary aggressor after the initial road incident. "This kid proceeded to chase my car down for two blocks, revving his engine and trying to intimidate me," Jones wrote. He added, "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."
“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.”
Jon Jones's Controversial Past
This road rage encounter casts a shadow over Jones’s extensive and troubled history outside the octagon, particularly concerning driving incidents. In 2015, he received probation for a hit-and-run involving a pregnant woman in New Mexico. More recently, in 2025, he faced a misdemeanor charge for leaving the scene of a separate crash in Bernalillo County, though prosecutors later dismissed the case after finding his alibi credible. This pattern of incidents fuels the debate among fans and critics, who argue whether this latest parking lot exchange reflects a composed response to provocation or another troubling chapter for one of MMA's most decorated yet controversial champions.
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