Conor McGregor isn’t stealing all the limelight in Las Vegas this week.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is right back in the headlines, after news of a failed drug test in relation to his comeback title fight against rival Daniel Cormier at UFC 214.
Jones successfully reclaimed the belt that he never lost by stopping Cormier in the third round but, less than a month later, it’s emerged that the 30-year-old tested positive for a banned substance in an in-competition test by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
TMZ was first to report the news and they claim that ‘Bones’ has been immediately stripped of his 205lbs title, although that has yet to be confirmed by the promotion.
The TMZ report claimed that Jones tested positive for the steroid turinabol which, if true, could result in a suspension in excess of two years given Jones’ previous test failure.
UFC 200 infamously lost its main event last July when Jones tested positive for estrogen blockers just days ahead of his grudge rematch with Cormier.
Jones remains one of the greatest of all time but his latest indiscretion could not only destroy his legacy, but force him into an early retirement.
The UFC released the below statement on the matter on Tuesday afternoon.
“The UFC organisation was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Jon Jones of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an in-competition sample collected following his weigh-in on July 28, 2017.
“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Jones, as it relates to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and future UFC participation. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed the day before Jones’ bout at UFC 214 in Anaheim, CA, and USADA will work to ensure that the CSAC has the necessary information to determine its proper judgment of Jones’ potential anti-doping violation.
“Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
