UFC reinstates former light heavyweight champ Jon Jones

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been re-instated by the organization on Friday and could soon challenge Daniel Cormier for the belt.

UFC officials made the move after Las Vegas-based law firm Campbell & Williams reviewed the terms of a plea agreement Jones reached in Albuquerque, N.M., last month on a hit-and-run charge.

Jones is eligible to return to competition immediately.

"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 a statement..

UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said the organization expects Jones to continue to meet all the terms of his plea agreement.

"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 and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said in a 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."

No determination has been made as far as a potential date for Jones to return to action. UFC president Dana White previously said Jones would be granted an immediate title shot upon his return. Cormier won the belt with a third-round submission of Anthony Johnson in May after Jones was stripped of the title and suspended indefinitely.

Cormier defended the belt with a split decision victory over Alexander Gustafsson on Oct. 3.

Jones defeated Cormier by unanimous decision in January, his last fight before his suspension.

The 28-year-old pled guilty last month to one felony count of leaving the scene of accident and avoided jail time in the case.

In April, Jones ran a red light and crashed his rented SUV into a pregnant woman's car, injuring her arm.

He fled the vehicle on foot, returning to grab what was described as a large wad of cash, before once again fleeing the scene. Jones turned himself in to police the following day.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj