Former UFC champion Jon Jones found himself at the center of another controversy this weekend after video footage surfaced showing him in a heated road rage incident with a driver in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The confrontation, which was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, adds another chapter to Jones' troubled history with driving-related incidents.

The incident involved Bryan Beltran, a local car salesman who initially had no idea he was confronting one of mixed martial arts' most recognizable figures. According to Beltran's account posted on Instagram, the altercation began when Jones, driving a black truck, nearly hit him three times while driving on Central Avenue near Eubank.

"Driving up Central close to Eubank when I was almost hit 3 times by the truck even after I revved my car at him the first time it almost happened he still almost hit me twice after that so I flipped him off," Beltran wrote in his detailed Instagram caption describing the events that unfolded.

The Confrontation Unfolds

The situation escalated when Beltran, frustrated by what he perceived as reckless driving, flipped off the driver of the black truck. Rather than continuing on his way, Jones stopped his vehicle in the middle of the road, backed up, and followed Beltran into a nearby parking lot for a face-to-face confrontation.

The video, recorded using Meta Glasses, shows Jones calmly exiting his truck and approaching Beltran, who was clearly agitated by the driving incident. In the footage, Beltran can be heard saying, "What, bro? What are you tryna get into? You almost f—— hit me, bro."

Jones, appearing composed with his left hand in his pocket, responded in a measured tone: "You gotta calm down, bro. You gotta relax yourself, bro." When Beltran told him he needed to learn how to drive, Jones repeated his advice to relax before flipping off the other driver and walking back to his vehicle.

The exchange, while tense, remained relatively civil compared to what could have been a much more volatile situation given Jones' history and reputation.

Recognition and Reconciliation

What makes this incident particularly interesting is that Beltran initially had no idea he was confronting a UFC legend. "Btw I know it's Jon Jones I didn't know who it was when I flipped him off but definitely realized who it was quick!" Beltran wrote, adding laughing emojis to his post.

Despite the confrontation, Beltran expressed no ill will toward Jones, even suggesting they could resolve their differences amicably. "No hate or hard feelings towards my guy John but I think he might need to take some driving classes cause he almost hit me multiple times," he wrote. "Hopefully soon I make another video where we can maybe shake hands and 'squash the beef.'"

The incident occurred just one night after Beltran had experienced a similar situation with another truck driver, which may have contributed to his heightened frustration. "The night before another guy in a truck pulled out infront me so this was pretty annoying considering it was the second time a guy in a truck cant drive…i guess those are ABQ drivers for you stay safe," he explained.

A Pattern of Driving Controversies

This latest incident adds to Jones' extensive history of legal troubles and driving-related offenses that have plagued his career outside the octagon. The 38-year-old fighter has faced numerous run-ins with the law over the years, many involving motor vehicles.

Most notably, in 2015, Jones was sentenced to probation after a hit-and-run crash involving a pregnant woman, an incident that significantly damaged his reputation and led to his temporary removal from the UFC roster. More recently, charges tied to a February 2025 accident were dropped after prosecutors accepted his alibi as credible.

The pattern of driving-related incidents continues to shape public perception of the MMA legend, who despite his incredible achievements inside the octagon, has struggled with maintaining a clean record outside of it.

Privacy Concerns and Meta Glasses

Interestingly, this is not the first time Jones has found himself in viral footage captured by Meta Glasses. Earlier this year, a private conversation about his health was leaked online without his knowledge, revealing that he suffers from severe arthritis and qualifies for a hip replacement. In that leaked recording, Jones described significant pain during training and concerns about his long-term mobility.

The unauthorized recording sparked concern among fans while raising questions about privacy in an age of wearable recording devices. Jones appeared frustrated that such personal health details were shared publicly without his consent, and the leak appeared to impact his chances of a UFC return.

Current UFC Status and Future Uncertain

Jones remains officially retired from the UFC, though his future in the sport continues to generate speculation. The former two-weight champion had expressed interest in being included on the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14, even suggesting a potential bout with Alex Pereira.

However, UFC president Dana White has made it clear that Jones was never in consideration for the event, citing trust issues between the promotion and the former champion. White has also stated that he considers Jones to be retired due to the severe arthritis in his hip that was revealed in the leaked recording.

Despite his retirement status, Jones has been outspoken about wanting to represent his country at the White House event. Reports suggest he was offered what he described as a "lowball" $15 million deal to fight Pereira, though the UFC ultimately booked Pereira in the co-main event against Ciryl Gane instead, with the winner becoming the interim heavyweight champion.

Implications Moving Forward

While this road rage incident appears to have been resolved without legal consequences, it serves as another reminder of Jones' ongoing struggles with staying out of controversy. The fact that he managed to keep his composure during the confrontation and avoid escalating the situation further could be seen as a positive development for someone with his history.

The incident also highlights the reality that public figures like Jones are constantly under scrutiny, with everyday interactions potentially becoming viral content. The widespread availability of recording devices means that even minor altercations can quickly become major news stories.

For Jones, who has been working to rebuild his image and potentially return to competition, any negative incident carries additional weight. His ability to handle this situation calmly, despite being provoked, may actually work in his favor as he continues to navigate his relationship with the UFC and the public.

As for whether we'll see Jones return to active competition, his future remains uncertain. The combination of his age, health issues, ongoing legal concerns, and strained relationship with UFC leadership makes any comeback increasingly unlikely. This road rage incident, while relatively minor in the grand scheme of his controversies, serves as another reminder of why the UFC and its leadership may be hesitant to bring him back into the fold.

The MMA community will undoubtedly continue to watch Jones' every move, both in and out of potential competition, as one of the sport's most talented yet troubled figures navigates life after his fighting career.