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Jones has built a security team, if you will. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

UFC champ Jon Jones supports protests, leads vigilantes in Albuquerque

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jun 3, 2020 4:23 PM ET

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones found his preferred ways to help out following protests over the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man who died while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.

Jones confronted would-be vandals in Albuquerque and took their spray-can canisters. He cleaned up around the city after pockets of demonstrations turned destructive, and he offered his services to businesses in need and to officers attempting to keep the peace.

On Wednesday, the 32-year-old tweeted about the group of men who accompanied "Bones" during his treks around Albuquerque amid the protests.

Jones, seen by many as the most talented and gifted fighter in the history of professional mixed martial arts, explained that those who joined him are "fitness athletes and fighters from the local gyms, a few business owners and a handful of former military."

Jones also wrote that "our only mission is to observe, and peacefully slow down senseless vandalism," and that "our main goal is to be non-invasive and have zero incidents of violence."

The group of men that I had out with me to help slow down vandalism in Albuquerque were all brave young men from our communities. Half of them were fitness athletes and fighters from the local gyms, a few business owners and a handful of former military.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 3, 2020

My brothers and I are here to support our community members exercising their rights to protest. Our only mission is to observe, and peacefully slow down senseless vandalism.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 3, 2020

Even though a few of the guys were armed with side protection and vests our main goal is to be non-invasive and have zero incidents of violence.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 3, 2020

Anybody thinking about starting trouble in and around Albuquerque as people peacefully protest should probably reconsider. They wouldn't want to make Mr. Jones angry.

They wouldn't like Jones when he's angry.

Protesters, don’t be afraid to speak out against looters. Discouraging their behaviors will definitely help. No one wants to be filmed looting whether wearing a mask or not.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 3, 2020

If you want your March or views to be considered non-violent and successful. You shouldn’t stand for people looting at your events. All I’m saying is each and everyone of us can make a difference while still supporting our community, environment and neighborhoods
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 3, 2020

It’s going to take America as a whole to save our country. We are its people and these are OUR communities.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 3, 2020

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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