UFC reinstates former champion Jon Jones

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Friday reinstated former light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones, clearing the way for him to fight again.

Current light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier was beaten by Jones (21-1) via unanimous decision in January.

Citing a review of the plea agreement reached between Jones and prosecutors in Albuquerque, N.M., where Jones skirted jail time after fleeing the scene of a car crash that broke a pregnant woman’s arm, the UFC said in a statement that it was “currently discussing with Jones a potential date for his return to the octagon.”

At a lunch with reporters Thursday, Jones’ Albuquerque training stablemate Carlos Condit said he had seen Jones working out in the gym recently.

“I am thankful to be able to do what I love once again and I look forward to proving myself as a champion in and outside of the octagon,” Jones said in the statement.

Following the January victory over Cormier, it was revealed that Jones tested positive for cocaine in a December test for performance-enhancing drugs that wasn’t intending to screen for street drugs.

Jones, 28, apologized in an interview with the UFC’s broadcast partner, Fox Sports 1, and spent just one night in rehab, with an explanation that he was not deemed an addict.

In April, the car crash in New Mexico was witnessed by an off-duty law enforcement official. Jones fled, then retreated to his car to grab a stack of cash, leaving behind a marijuana pipe, according to police.

Late last month, he was sentenced to 18 months of probation and community service at a hearing attended by UFC President Dana White.

White told the Los Angeles Times via text message on Friday that he has yet to decide when Jones may fight Cormier again.

“We’ve made it clear to Jon that this new opportunity to compete in UFC is a privilege and not a right, and that there are significant expectations we have regarding his conduct moving forward,” UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta said in the statement.

“We’re happy to read and see reports that he has embraced the terms of his plea agreement and is using this experience to grow and develop as a person.”