“Even though it may seem that I’m broken up, up here, I’m not broken.”
Jon Jones has given an emotional reaction to being flagged by USADA for an anti-doping violation and being pulled from the main event of UFC 200.
‘Bones’ expects his UFC light heavyweight interim title will be stripped but that is the least of his concerns. He may not be allowed fight again until June 2018, when he is 30.
His manager, Malki Kawa, told reporters that results from the fighter’s ‘B’ sample should come through this evening but this is ‘a slim chance’ of it coming back negative and exonerating him. Whatever the outcome, Jones will appeal the positive finding from the ‘A’ sample.
Jones has been flagged for taking metabolites – through supplements that improves metabolism – and he admitted he can not even pronounce the substance he has been linked with taking.
Jones began his press conference, in Las Vegas, by apologising to fight fans and to Daniel Cormier, who was supposed to be his opponent at UFC 200. He said:
“I know this fight meant a lot to Daniel. It meant a lot to me. I’m sincerely sorry.
“The whole situation really sucks. It really hurts a lot.”
After insisting he was still very much against performance enhancing drugs, Jones left the conference in tears but returned after taking several minutes to compose himself.
Jon Jones in bits here.
"I feel as if I have to re-climb a ladder" #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/5rGB3ex0LV
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 7, 2016
Another couple of questions in and Jones was asked if he had personally spoken to Cormier. He wiped tears from his eyes and took about 30 seconds before stressing, once again, how sorry he was.
Asked if he could envisage a comeback if he was hit with a two-year doping ban, Jones seemed resigned to his fate:
“If I do have to sit out for two years, I’ll definitely be back.
“At the end of the day, I’m a fighter.”
After vowing to clear his name and to steer clear of relapses with alcohol or drug-use, Jones said he would get in touch with his parole officer to ‘get on the same page’ ahead of his return home.
He is leaving Las Vegas as soon as possible.
Despite his strong words, one wonders whether we will see ‘Bones’ in this town for a UFC fight again.
