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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is out of his UFC 187 title fight with Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, according to a report from MMAWeekly.com.
The report comes following rumors on Sunday afternoon surrounding an alleged hit and run accident in Albuquerque involving the Champion. The MMAWeekly report cites confirmation from sources about Jones' removal from the event, though all are awaiting further information on Jones' situation.
The Albuquerque police department would not confirm or deny Jones' involvement in an accident, saying on Twitter that the investigation was still ongoing.
We CANNOT confirm that Jon Jones was involved in a H&R traffic accident from this morning. The investigation is ongoing.
Penick's Analysis: There were initial statements alleging that Jones was in custody, but inquiries into local, county, and state police yielded no record of an arrest. With the APD responding and not denying flat out that Jones was involved in a hit and run, it seems there's something to the initial reports from @FrontRowBrian on Twitter, but he irresponsibly made statements alleging some even more concerning details, only to backtrack and claim he made them without enough information. So for now, it appears Jones is out, but we're awaiting further information as to why.
UPDATE: This story continues to take turns, and it appears Jones is no longer out of the UFC 187 event. At least for now. MMAWeekly.com's Ken Pishna has updated their report, stating that a credible source backtracked on Jones' removal, and while they report he was indeed in an accident, the fight is allegedly still on as of right now, though it is still possible it could get canceled.
We can confirm Jones in accident. Fight has not been cancelled. Solid source initially said it was but retracted after report went public.
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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